Faced with the geopolitical upheavals in the West, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the gaps left by certain countries in the field of development cooperation, Copenhagen considers it appropriate that the European Union should now chart “its own course”.
In its programme for its six-monthly presidency of the EU Council, Denmark intends to work “to ensure that the EU acts where it has the greatest impact”.
“The EU must rethink its strategic approach to development cooperation to secure stronger global partnerships”, notes the six-monthly Presidency, which wants to defend “equal and mutually beneficial partnerships that support sustainable development”.
“Devising integrated programmes to tackle the increasing number of global crises is necessary and will also strengthen coordination among the EU’s foreign policy instruments”, says the Danish government, which was recently confronted with American claims to Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Strategic development of the maritime sector. Particular attention will be paid to the ‘Global Gateway’ initiative and its flagship ‘Green Shipping Corridors’ project, which aims to link European ports to strategic global ports by decarbonising international maritime transport.
Copenhagen intends to ensure broad ownership of this project by the European Commission, EU Member States, financial institutions, the private sector and partner countries, in line with the ‘Team Europe’ approach.
The Danish Presidency wants to advance the EU’s contribution to the reform of the international financial architecture (see EUROPE 13672/19).
It also announces that it will maintain the EU’s role as a major humanitarian player, ensuring rapid responses to crises and defending respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.
Finally, Copenhagen will also be responsible for preparing the negotiations on the future European development policy as part of the EU’s long-term budget after 2027.
See the programme of the Danish Presidency of the EU Council: https://aeur.eu/f/hoi (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)