Brussels, 15/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The 27 EU development cooperation ministers will meet in Brussels in the late afternoon of Monday 18 May 2009 and on Tuesday 19 May for their six-monthly meeting. Most of the meeting will be devoted to discussion of aid for development countries against the backdrop of the global financial and economic crisis, improving democratic governance in developing countries and the status of talks on economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the EU and ACP states (Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific), which the European Commission hopes can be concluded next month (see EUROPE 9880). This extra-large Development Council meeting (three Councils in one, see related article) will publish a formal conclusions document outlining its ideas on how developing countries can be helped out of the crisis, guidelines for an EU strategy to reduce the risk of natural disasters in developing countries, and the final outcome of reflection that started at the Prague summit of 29 and 30 January 2009 on strengthening democratic governance and access to sustainable energy sources at local level in developing countries. The Council will start with a meeting over dinner on Monday evening where the prospects of a stronger partnership between the EU and the United States on development cooperation will be discussed. Czech Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Jan Kohout will chair the Council meeting, which will be attended by EU Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel, and EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton, both representing the European Commission. Items on the agenda include:
Developing countries and the global crisis - The Council will adopt a conclusions document on ways of helping developing countries out of the crisis. The EU's response sketched out in the conclusions document will include quantitative issues (meeting public development aid promises, using all available funding, anti-cyclical action, speeding up EIB funding, tangible infrastructure support measures and providing electricity and water supplies) and qualitative measures like speeding up application of the EU programme to make aid more effective, better targetting of aid and closer coordination among the EU27 countries, the Commission, the EIB, international bodies and partner countries.
Economic Partnership Agreements - The Council discuss progress with Commissioner Catherine Ashton on the ongoing talks with the six ACP regions (West Africa, Southern Africa, East and South Africa, East Africa, Central Africa and the Pacific) to try and reach speedy agreement over EPAs. Thus far, only one full EPA has been signed and definitively adopted - the EPA with Cariforum (see EUROPE 9872 and 9869). The discussions among the ministers will help prepare the EU position to be adopted at a joint meeting of EU and ACP ministers on 28 and 29 May 2009.
Democratic governance - The Council will adopt a conclusions document restating its support for a measure to back the EU's ACP partner countries' efforts to boost democratic governance by favouring dialogue and incentives. The European Commission will be urged to take account of experience and lessons gained during this initiative when examining the governance processes of other regions. Ministers will discuss strengthening and better coordinating political dialogue on development issues on the basis of an analysis prepared by the Czech Presidency. They will discuss taking account of the OECD's guidelines on effective use of direct financial aid provided to developing countries; the merits of political dialogue between donors and the governments receiving the aid; connections between political dialogue under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement and the current dialogue surrounding budget aid; and the best way of strengthening political dialogue and improving reporting on the outcome of talks.
Tighter transatlantic partnership - The ministers will informally discuss the merits, priorities and details of the idea of closer partnership between the EU and the United States on development cooperation issues both when it comes to political dialogue and in terms of cooperation in the field. The idea arose after exploratory talks between the Czech Presidency, the European Commission and the Obama administration.
Local access to renewable energy - The Council will adopt a conclusions document on the importance of helping developing countries gain access to modern energy to meet basic human needs, speed up economic growth and improve living conditions - a challenge that is closely related to energy security, sustainable energy for all and combatting climate change.
Reduction risk of natural catastrophes - The Council will adopt without debate a conclusions document on an EU strategy to support measures to reduce the risk of natural disasters in developing countries. (A.N./transl.fl)