Brussels, 27/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is seeking views from a wide range of stakeholders on the most important issues that should inform the revision of the current European Community development policy. The Commission is therefore launching an internet consultation in order to reach the widest possible range of development partners. Citizens, NGOs, public and private development partners are being asked to provide their replies before 2 March. An issues document on providing a vision for long term reflection and positioning of the Union can also be found on-line to guide their responses.
The political framework establishing the objectives and priorities for cooperation and development, such as those currently implemented by the EU, was defined by way of a joint Commission and Council declaration in 2000. The consultation results will be published by April 2005 and will help with the preparation of the new policy framework that Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid will present in the first half of this year for the next five years. The questionnaire is available via the following link: (http: //europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/theme/consultation/index_en.htm). An issues paper on EU development policy is available via the following link: (http: //europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/theme/consultation/doc/Issues_Paper_EN.pdf).