HC Deb 07 June 2000 vol 351 cc261-2W
14. Mr. Wells

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reforms she will propose to the European Union to increase the effectiveness of its whole aid programme. [123184]

Clare Short

We have published an 18-point strategy to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance. The new European Commission has taken several positive steps, including the reduction of the number of Commissioners responsible for European Community development programmes from five to two, the establishment of poverty reduction as the overarching objective of the successor to the Lomé Convention and the restructuring of the European Development Fund, including the recent publication of a draft development policy statement and of proposals to reform the administration of EC external programmes. However, most of the proposed changes have not yet been implemented. We are pressing the Commission to draw up clear action plans to put the proposals that have been made into practice. We will continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states to improve the poverty focus, effectiveness and efficiency of EC programmes.

27. Mr. Gapes

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met her EU counterparts to discuss EU aid programmes; and what subjects were discussed. [123197]

Clare Short

I last met my EU counterparts to discuss EC aid programmes at the Development Council on 18 May. The following subjects were discussedSierra Leone, Cöte d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau EC development co-operation policy Action Plan to implement the May 1999 conclusions on the evaluation of EC development assistance Reform of the management of Community aid Operational co-ordination between the Community and member states Structural adjustment Integrating the environment and sustainable development into EC development policy HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis Zimbabwe Great Lakes (Rwanda/Burundi) Ethiopia/Eritrea AIDS Evaluation of humanitarian aid Crisis and conflict situations in developing countries (emergency, rehabilitation, development and unstable situations) New procedures for legislative acts in the field of development Preparation for the third UN conference on Least Developed Countries Development aspects of the 6th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Climate Change Support to development education.

A copy of the report on the outcome of the Development Council is in the Library of the House.