HL Deb 30 November 2000 vol 619 cc167-8WA
The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they will ensure that poverty reduction becomes the main focus of the European Union's development policy. [HL4805]

Baroness Amos

On 10 November European Union Development Ministers agreed a new development policy which states that poverty reduction—and its eventual eradication—is the overarching objective of the European Community's development policy in all developing countries. The Commission has prepared a programme of action for implementation of the new development policy which contains key actions required to translate this objective into results on the ground. The Secretary of State for International Development and her European Union colleagues will monitor progress against the programme of action at the bi-annual Councils of European Development Ministers. This is a major step forward for the EC's development policy.