EU News
Transcript of Internet Chat with Louis Michel
For all those who were not able to take part in last week's internet chat with Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, a transcript of the online discussion is now available in 8 languages. The Commissioner answered questions on development issues such as HIV/AIDS and women's rights. When asked how the Commission intends to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children in recipient countries, he stated that “Sexual equality is a priority area of our development policy and all staff are geared up towards it.”
Weblink: http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/index_en.htm
New EP Website
The European Parliament has a new website, designed to facilitate site navigation. Weblink: www.europarl.eu.int
MDG Information Campaign
The European Commission has launched an information campaign to encourage support for the MDGs. The campaign will show audiovisual spots, in 6 languages, on major European airlines and on TV news channels during September. The spots feature themes such as health, education, poverty and environmental sustainability.
Weblink: http://www.europe-cares.org/eng/downloads.htm
DG Trade UN Summit Internet Forum
DG Trade has also set up a United Nations 2005 Summit development on-line forum. Through logging in, it is possible to create new discussions or to reply to existing ones related to development and the role played by the EU. A team of experts will reply to all questions within a maximum of three working days.
Weblink: http://trade-info.cec.eu.int/forum_un/list.cfm
World should follow the EUs lead
12 September 2005
At the UN summit, Jose Manuel Barrosso, President of the European Commission, urged other nations to "follow its lead" with regards to development aid. The EU has recently decided to increase its aid by almost 50%. This will bring the annual total up to € 66 billion by 2010 and € 84 by 2015. This would mean that the EU would meet the UN goal of 0.7% of GDP spending on development aid by 2015.
Weblink: http://euobserver.com/?aid=19850&rk=1
FT Special on Business and Development
14 September 2005
The Financial Times this week published a Special Report called “Focus on efforts by private enterprise to engage in poverty alleviation”. The 16-page report looks at the role private corporations can play with regards to reducing poverty and the spread of killer diseases such as HIV/AIDS; it also lays out the arguments in favor of a commercial approach to development issues.
Weblink: http://news.ft.com/cms/cff778cc-de70-11d9-92cd-00000e2511c8.html
Still No Progress on Turkey Talk
15 September 2005
Following numerous attempts to come up with a unified stance on a declaration addressing Turkey's refusal to recognize Cyprus, a meeting of the member states' permanent representatives (COREPER) failed again on 14 September to agree on a wording. Accession talks with Turkey cannot open in absence of a unanimous EU-25 agreement on the technical terms of the talks
Weblink: http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-144258-16&type=News&_lang=EN&email=55955
Air Ticket Tax to Boost Development Aid
16 September 2005
Countries such as France and Chile are planning to introduce a special air ticket tax to increase funding for ODA. The French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, stated that his country is planning to introduce a “solidarity contribution” for all passengers departing form French airports. The money would go towards funding development projects with special focus on fighting HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. Experts have stated that only € 5 from economy class passengers and € 20 from first class passengers could generate € 10 billion each year for development funding. Chile's President Ricardo Lagos has also announced that from 2006 all passengers on international flights leaving Chile will pay an additional $ 2 which will be directed to increasing the country's development resources.
Weblink: http://www.ipsterraviva.net/Europe/article.aspx?id=2340
Will the German Elections Affect EU Policymaking?
15-16 September 2005
EurActive Says Experts Say NO: Experts predict that a new government in Germany would continue to support the country's pro-European stance. It is also expected that under Angela Merkel there would be no reform of the budgetary contributions to the EU.
Weblink: http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-144274-16&type=News
International Herald Tribune Article Says YES: The outcome of the German elections, the EUs biggest member state, will inevitably have an effect on the EU. The Social Democrats, led by Gerhard Schröder, and the Christian Democrats, led by Angela Merkel, have significant foreign policy differences. Merkel is opposed to Turkey joining the EU, instead favoring a “privileged partnership” agreement. Merkel also would strengthen Germany's ties with the USA, in contrast with Schröder. With regards to the EU, Schröder would slow further economic integration until Germany's economy starts to improve.
Weblink: www.iht.com
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