EU external policies: development cooperation

EU External Action: four “legs” EU external action is a rather complex “animal” with four “legs”: Foreign policy = diplomacy and security Trade policy Development cooperation Humanitarian assistance

EU Foreign Policy: objectives Art EU Foreign Policy: objectives Art. 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) Safeguard [the EU] values, fundamental interests, security, independence and integrity Consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law; Preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security (...)

EU trade policy: objectives “To contribute, in the common interest, to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade and and on foreign direct investment, and the lowering of customs and other barriers.” (Art 206 of the TFEU) “[Helping] through the EU’s trade policy to secure prosperity, solidarity and security in Europe and around the globe” (DG Trade: mission statement)

EU Humanitarian Assistance: objectives TFEU Art. 214 “The Union’s operations in the field of humanitarian aid [...] shall be intended to provide ad hoc assistance and relief and protection for people in third countries who are victims of natural or man-made disasters, in order to meet the humanitarian needs resulting from these different situations.”

EU Development Cooperation: objectives TFEU Art. 208 “Union development cooperation policy shall have as its primary objective the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty. The Union shall take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries. The Union and the Member States shall comply with the commitments and take account of the objectives they have approved in the context of the United Nations and other competent international organisations.”

EU External Action: conflicting or complementary objectives ? Foreign policy Trade policy  national interests Development cooperation Humanitarian assistance  needs of the recipients

Main objective: Poverty reduction “The primary and overarching objective of EU development cooperation is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We reaffirm that development is a central goal by itself; and that sustainable development includes good governance, human rights and political, economic, social and environmental aspects.” Joint statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on European Union Development Policy: “The European Consensus on Development” (adopted 20.12.2005)

Focus on Poverty reduction : why ? Over decades of development assistance, the number of poor countries has not decreased but increased The percentage of population living below the poverty threshold has increased, even in countries which registered economic growth