§ Mr. McNultyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her Department's priorities for co-ordinating European contributions to international aid programmes during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union; and if she will make a statement. [18437]
§ Clare ShortDuring the UK Presidency, we will continue to seek to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of the European Community's aid programmes. Our top priorities will be to agree the EU negotiating mandate on the future of Lomé and secure the EC's commitment to the DAC' s 21st century strategy and international development targets.