Brussels, 01/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - Speaking before the Development Committee, chaired by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL, Italy), the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, Agnès Van Ardenne, presented three of the Presidency's objectives: 1) transparency and better management of dossiers; 2) respect of agreements already signed; 3) and strengthened multi-lateralism. Agnès Van Ardenne mainly insisted on the fact that "development cannot remain an isolated area of competence". With this in mind, she said she hoped that the fight against poverty and the Millennium Development Goals - adopted in September 2000 in New York by the 191 UN member nations - would be anchored in EU foreign policy.
On the subject of the crisis in Darfur, which has often been mentioned in MEPs' questions, Ms Van Ardenne defended herself, in the name of the Presidency, against the reproach that not enough pressure had been put on the belligerent parties. "Twice a week, there is a meeting in Khartoum between UN members, the Sudanese government and European ambassadors", she recalled, pointing out that a new UN report is awaited before a decision is taken on whether or not to impose sanctions.