Brussels, 15/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - So many points had been covered on the External Relations/Development Council agenda on 15 May, that Ms Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul did not know at the end of the session which one should give most cause for satisfaction. The Council agreement on a voluntary code of conduct for better sharing of work between the European Commission and member states, guaranteeing increased efficiency for European aid? The unanimous conclusions on the negotiation of economic partnership agreements with ACP regions and on the trade aid needed for these agreements (see related article)? Progress towards a joint EU-Africa strategy whose adoption is scheduled for the Europe-Africa Summit in December? The decision to the refloat the peace facility for Africa, or the rather positive assessment of the EU's efforts to increase public aid to development?
Ultimately it did not matter, because, in the opinion of the Council chairwoman, “these notable results” have been achieved and translate the German presidency's commitment towards a Europe which “faces up to its responsibilities towards developing countries, with Africa right in the foreground”. Ms Wieczorek-Zeul said that the code of conduct “will allow a better sharing of tasks and will have the value of being an example to the international community. It will also allow the EU to concentrate more on the needs of developing countries and to put an end to the chaos which today sees eight member states involved in the same country, with (counter-productive) overlaps”.
She was delighted that the Council agreed the guidelines for the EU-Africa energy partnership: development of renewable energy, energy efficiency and combating climate change. She also welcomed the decision by the EU to set aside €300 million to fund the peace facility for Africa for the period from 2007 to 2008 - a sum to which member states were invited to add individually on a voluntary basis. Commenting on the Council conclusions on the performance of the EU in terms of public aid for development, Ms Wieczorek-Zeul said that, with a collective average of 0.42% of GDP in 2006, “the EU has exceeded its Monterrey target” and that member states were invited to “do all they can to reach 0.51% of EU GDP” by 2010. EUROPE will return to the other outcomes of the session. (an)