§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the Development and Co-operation Council held in Brussels on 8 November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [14396]
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§ Clare ShortAt its meeting on 8 November, the Development Council, by consensus
Noted the progress that had been made in reform of the EC's external programmes, including the publication of the Commission's first ever annual report on external assistance. The Council agreed that further progress was needed and that in order to make the annual report a more useful tool for monitoring progress it should be substantially enhanced next year to include firm indicators of the effectiveness of the EC's aid programmes and policies;Agreed that member states would consider further what steps might be taken to establish specific timetables to reach the 0.7 per cent. GNP aid target in the context of preparations for the UN Financing for Development Conference (Mexico March 2002);Agreed that, following the events of 11 September. the Council should continue to give priority to implementing the Declaration on Development Policy agreed in November 2000, give increased attention to the development challenges in Asia, and continue to integrate analysis on conflict prevention and resolution into the EC's programmes;Agreed conclusions on the preparations for the world summit on sustainable development (Johannesburg September 2002); measures to be taken to address poverty reduction; the link between fisheries policy and poverty reduction; the biodiversity action plan; mainstreaming gender equality in development policy; participation of civil society in the implementation of the Cotonou agreement; improving the EU development response towards ACP countries in crisis and conflict; and a resolution on the importance of development education.