Brussels, 21/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the External Relations Council debated two organisations in which the Union hopes to continue playing a key role. This debate followed the commitments made by the European Union during the international conference on finance and development (Monterrey, March 2002) and the World Summit on sustainable Development (Johannesburg, last September. In its conclusions on the sustainable development strategy, adopted without debate in the perspective of the European Summit of Copenhagen (see EUROPE 18/19 November p 14), the Council examined the progress accomplished by the different groups in integrating the results from Johannesburg in their spheres of competencies (some of them have already adopted conclusions on this subject, such as the Agriculture and Fisheries, Environment and Ecofin Councils, others announced that they intended to by 2 December, such as the Transport, Telecommunications, energy, social Affairs and Employment Councils). The Council welcomed the Commission's goal to assess the progress made, as well as the identification of key Union measures, action, proposals and commitments, during it s new spring report and as part of its internal and external sustainable development strategy. It will also be taking into account national strategies and the balance between the three sustainable development pillars - economic, social and environment.
In the context of increasing public aid to development, the Council welcomed the Commission's intention to ensure follow-up to the commitment taken in March at the European Council of Barcelona and to bring the Community average up to 0.39% by 2006from the current 0.3% of GDP rate. A questionnaire will be addressed to Member States to allow he Commission to communicate the results of the spring Council of 2003.