Irish NGOs concerned at direction of EU aid policy

A NUMBER of Irish aid agencies told the EU’s Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid they are concerned that Europe is putting its own economic interests ahead of Africa’s aid needs.

A major EU-Africa joint strategy is due to be endorsed by the union’s 27 member states at a summit in Lisbon next month. The union and the member states are the largest aid donors in the world.

It sets out the EU’s policy for future relations with African countries ranging from aid for health and Aids to the environment and trade.