§ Hugh BayleyTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the 771W conclusions were of the European Commission's review of progress towards the commitment that by 2006 an EU average of gross national income provided as overseas development assistance w ill reach 0.3 per cent.; what decisions were reached when this review was discussed at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 20th May; and if he will make a statement. [117754]
§ Hilary BennIn its summary report on follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development the European Commission noted that in 2002, eight member states had met the target of 0.33 per cent. of GNI as oda. In 2003, 10 member states will reach this objective. Progress already made corresponds to around one third of the amount of additional oda per year that should be made available by the EU from 2006 onwards.
The conclusion of the discussion on this review at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in May 2003 invited the Commission to continue to monitor on a regular basis, and to report annually on, the follow-up to the Monterrey commitments.