§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with other Government Departments about support for the EuroMed process [77707]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has regular dialogue across Whitehall on issues relating to the EuroMed process. We work closely with the FCO and other Government Departments—and the European Commission, member states and EuroMed partner countries—to support the goals of the Barcelona Declaration that are relevant to my Department's work, including respect for human rights, creating an area of shared prosperity and developing human resources. This includes contributing to improved efficiency and quality of the EC's MEDA programme in working to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable people in the region.