Meeting of the Committee on Development&nbsp;in the EP in Brussels. Vote on Revision of the European Consensus on Development: vote: 21 votes to 1 with no abstentions, and statements by Linda McAVAN (S&amp;D, UK), Bogdan Brunon WENTA (EPP, PL) and by Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D, DE), co-rapporteurs

Brussels

statement

meeting

vote

Committee on Development

NEUSER, Norbert (S&D, DE)

McAVAN, Linda (S&D, UK)

WENTA, Bogdan Brunon (EPP, PL)

European consensus on development (T)

Revision of the European Consensus on Development: extracts from the vote and statements by Bogdan Brunon WENTA (EPP, PL) and by Norbert NEUSER (S&D, DE), co-rapporteurs

Arrival of Linda McAVAN to chair the Committee on Development

SOUNDBITE (English), Linda McAVAN (S&amp;D, UK), This what we are voting today becomes a basis for parliament's position on the revision of the European Consensus on Development which will be the way the EYU implements the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the next 15 years, so it is an extremely important report. With no further ado we can start on the vote.

Members of the Committee voting (10 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Linda McAVAN (S&amp;D, UK), Has everybody that wishes to voted? The vote is closed. Congratulations to Mr WENTA and Mr NEUSER, carried by a very big majority.

Panel showing the results of the vote: 21 votes to 1, with no abstentions

SOUNDBITE (English), Bogdan Brunon WENTA (EPP, PL), Co-rapporteur, First of all, the previous consensus was adopted in 2005. If we see the international context, it has changed really a lot since then.That is first. And second, if we look at the possibility  for a European Development, and global developments are important input for this change, it is time to act. And frankly to say, in my opinion I think so and Norbert (Norbert Neuser, co-rapporteur) also for development policy to play a really central role, in addressing these root causes of forced migration, this state fragility, insecurity, marginalisation of course, and the fight against hunger, poverty and most important violations of human rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bogdan Brunon WENTA (EPP, PL), Co-rapporteur, The aim for development assistance is to work on the ground, for these root causes, that means it is simple, for the people to have a better, peaceful society and of course also have better living conditions, that is the simple message. In our report we call for further efforts for the EU and its Member States, towards joint programming and implementation of aid effectiveness, security which is also important, and good governance.

SOUNDBITE (English), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D, DE), Co-rapporteur, Yes I think we have new challenges, especially migration was not on the agenda in 2005, climate change was not so strong in our minds, so these are two big challenges we have to give a response to. And I think that it is necessary that the Commission and the European Member States work close together in these two fields.

SOUNDBITE (English), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D, DE), Co-rapporteur , I think they have to strengthen and to improve their development policy very much, it is working more and more, since the refugees came to Europe. For us in the Development Committee it was too late but nevertheless now there is a chance to focus more on Development policy. We need stronger connection with other political fields, like security, or like environment. But we have to be frank, it is not easy and there will be no solutions coming very soon.

SOUNDBITE (English), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D, DE), Co-rapporteur, We immediately start negotiations. We are glad that we have Malta in the Presidency, they are very engaged in this field, and we want to finish in May and then we have I would say, guidelines for the Member States and the Commission how to improve the development policy.