Brussels, 30/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission will on 12 October present the strategy which it will propose tot eh EU to support Africa's efforts to deliver the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development Policy and Humanitarian Aid, wants Africa to be a stakeholder in drawing up the joint, consistent and over-arching framework for the EU's future action. “Too often the strategies are draw up for our African partners rather than with them. It is absolutely vital that this strategy responds to the ambitions and priorities of Africa”, the Commissioner stressed on Thursday before meeting in Brussels with representatives of African regional organisations which will be the catalyst of African integration and cooperation. This meeting is the culmination of a written consultation process which for two months has allowed African organisations to give their opinions on the general orientation of the strategy being prepared. The Commission proposal should favour a general approach covering the prerequisite conditions for sustainable development (peace and security, good governance), the creation of the right economic environment to deliver the MDGs (economic growth, trade and infrastructures) and the factors which directly bring about progress in delivering the MDGs (social services, environment). The Commission is also due to make concrete suggestions to improve the quality of cooperation between the Member States and the effectiveness of Community aid.
This new EU strategy for Africa will complete the Brussels consensus which in July (EUROPE 8990) set the new orientations of the EU's development policy for the five years to come in a political declaration by the Commission, Parliament and Council, and laid down the EU's commitment to give particular attention to Africa.