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.

But Irish agencies say they are concerned that the UN’s Millennium Development Goals are being sidelined in favour of a more trade-oriented relationship.

They told EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel that already the funding for health and education from the EU has fallen way behind commitments. They agreed 20% of the budget should be for these areas vital to local populations but it is still less than 5% and under the new policy this will not increase.

“Europe’s interests in the developing world has to be a values based one rather than becoming part of a trade agenda,” said a representative of the Irish NGOs.

They are also want to have civil society in the African countries and parliaments, including the European Parliament, more involved in agreeing the details of how and where money should be spent.

Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley said Mr Michel assured him that he was committed to fulfilling the development goals.