Hongaars voorzitterschap: meer inspanningen ontwikkelingssamenwerking nodig (en)

Official Development Aid (ODA) by the EU and its Member States have reached a historical high of EUR 53.8 billion in 2010, said Foreign Minister János Martonyi, at the meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries; and the European Union on 18 May 2011 in Budapest. He acknowledged however, that without substantial additional efforts, fulfilling the EU ODA commitments is at risk.

Last year’s EUR 53.8 billion figure means that more than EUR 4.5 billion extra funds were spent, in order to support the developing countries. The minister underlined that the total sum represented 0.43% of the EU’s Gross National Income (GNI). He insisted that there was no question about the EU's determination to maintaining its collective ODA commitments, which have been reaffirmed several times in the recent years. The EU strives to achieve a collective ODA targetof 0.7% of the GNI by 2015, which is in line with the long-standing UN goal.

Despite the global financial and economic crisis, 18 Member States have increased their aid volumes in 2010. Nine Member States have reached their 2010 intermediate targets, 4 of which have already met or exceeded their 0.70% ODA/GNI target.

The EU remains by far the largest donor in the world, Foreign Minister Martonyi said. While the EU accounted for approximately a quarter of the global GDP, over the period 2004 to 2010, the EU and it’s Member States provided 57% of the net ODA, to developing countries. Over this period, the EU has expanded its ODA by more than 50% with certain Member States having doubling their ODA levels in spite of budgetary constraints

At the same time, the 2010 intermediate collective EU target of 0.56% of GNI, and the ODA targets related to Africa and the Least Developed Countries, have not been reached. Without substantial additional efforts, fulfilling the ODA commitments is at risk, Mr Martonyi acknowledged. According to Commission estimates, Member States collectively will have to mobilise an additional amount of approximately EUR 45 billion by 2015 in order to meet their EU commitment targets.

The Council is currently discussing the Commission’s relevant Communication with a view to adopting Conclusions on 24 May 2011, which will provide the appropriate responses and suggest possible future actions to be taken, collectively and individually by the EU Member States, for achieving the goals by 2015, he said.

Hungarian ’transition knowledge’ offered

Hungary is honoured to host the outstanding event of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, on behalf of the Council, Mr. Martonyi stressed. He also said that the Hungarian Presidency of the Council have actively contributed to reaching agreements among the 27 Member States in shaping the EU policies which have great significance regarding ACP-EU cooperation.

Having gathered valuable experience in establishing sound political and institutional architecture during the past decades of social and economic transition, Hungary brings added value to the EU’s external relations. “We are ready and willing to share our transition knowledge with developing countries, as well as experiences on the efficient use of aid received,” Mr Martonyi underlined.

Solidarity with the refugees

The EU and its Member States stand ready to demonstrate concrete solidarity responding to the situation in the Southern Mediterranean and Ivory Coast, Foreign Minister Martonyi said. This solidarity extends both to the persons displaced as a consequence of the conflicts in question, as well as to the countries in Africa and to the Member States most directly concerned by these migratory movements.

The EU will work closely with the UN and other international agencies and organisations, to alleviate the suffering of those displaced by the conflict or in need of essential supplies where they live. The emergency humanitarian aid made available by the EU and its Member States for the Southern Mediterranean, amounts to approximately EUR 96 million. The European Union will continue to provide the necessary support as the situation evolves, Mr Martonyi promised.

The European Council, at its meeting on 24 June will discuss a comprehensive approach on the situation in the Southern Mediterranean and its implications for the European Union.