“This year’s Council of Ministers between the EU and the States of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Region (ACP), held in Papua New Guinea, was primarily devoted to the negotiations on the financial basis for further development cooperation between the EU and ACP States. I am pleased that after intensive negotiations we have now managed to achieve a balanced outcome for both sides. The agreement places our cooperation on a solid foundation, and is a sign of further integration and stronger cooperation between the EU and ACP countries”, said Secretary of State Hans Winkler.
“The EU sets great store by cooperation with the ACP states, which is also reflected in no small measure in the funding of specific country programmes and various projects.” The EU’s development cooperation with the 78 ACP states is financed by the European Development Fund (EDF). During the course of negotiations the ministers were able to agree on an amount of EUR 22.39 billion for the period between 2008 and 2013. In addition, funds amounting to some EUR 2 billion are being made available by the European Investment Bank.
“The obligation undertaken by the EU today constitutes a notable increase in funds by comparison with the 9th EDF. Not only have the EU-15 committed themselves to increasing their annual contributions, but for the first time the new EU Member States will also be making a contribution to the European Development Fund”, Winkler was pleased to announce. He stressed that the European Union is thereby taking another visible step towards strengthening democracy and sustainable development in ACP countries.
“The objective of our cooperation is to combat poverty and promote economic development in ACP countries. In this way we hope to support these countries in strengthening their inter-state cooperation and their cooperation with third states, by encouraging the formation of larger regional markets, investments and economic growth, and by combating social problems”, Winkler stated. The development and establishment of social, education and health systems naturally plays a very important role in this area”.
Another important subject at the meeting was migration and development, which were discussed for the first time at ministerial level between States of the EU and ACP. “The management of growing migration flows is an issue that no country can solve alone. International cooperation and open dialogue are essential to the development of common strategies. As a result we were also able to use our meeting to share in a comprehensive exchange of opinions, involving civil society, international organisations and NGO’s”, Winkler continued.
The subject of climate change and development was also dealt with by the ACP-EU Council of Ministers in the framework of a joint statement. The EU acknowledged the special needs and circumstances of the ACP States in this area, without losing sight of the common goal of effective implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.
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