Eurostep is a network of autonomous European non-governmental development organisations working towards peace, justice and equality in a world free of poverty. Its
membership, rooted in their own societies, works together to influence Europe’s role in the world, particularly in pursuing the eradication of injustice and poverty. It advocates
changes in Europe’s policies and practice based on the perspectives drawn from direct experiences of an active involvement of its members and their partners in development
in over 100 countries across the world. The members of Eurostep include: 11.11.11 (Belgium), ACSUR Las Segovias (Spain), ActionAid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Deutsche
Welthungerhilfe (Germany), Helinas (Greece), Hivos (Netherlands), Kepa (Finland), Manitese (Italy), Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (Denmark), Oikos (Portugal), Oxfam International
(Netherlands), People in Need (Czech Republic), SNV (Netherlands), Swiss Coalition (Switzerland), terres des hommes Germany.
Part of the act4europe campaign initiated by the Civil Society Contact Group
For immediate release: 14 December 2005
A lowest common denominator deal on the EU budget is bad for poor people in
Europe and in the World
If Europe’s Heads of State reach a deal on the EU’s future 7 year budget this week the main
losers will be people living in poverty, both inside and outside the EU. The wrangling by
Europe’s richest Member States aimed at minimising the cost of EU membership undermines
many of the principles on which the EU has been built.
The British Presidency’s latest proposals, released on 14 December 2005, continues to target
cuts for funding earmarked to New EU Member States and Europe’s external actions, including
aid to developing countries. Original proposals for the 2007-2013 budget from the Commission
and Parliament sought to reflect the EU’s current political commitments and ambitions, both to
Europe’s ten poorest recent Member States and Europe’s developing country partners.
This wrangling over the EU’s future budget takes place as Europe seeks to project itself as a
global leader in tackling world poverty. In 2005 European Member States made commitments
to diminish world inequalities, by increasing the quality and quantity of their aid efforts, by
providing additional debt relief to developing countries and through promoting reforms to world
trade to benefit the poorest.
“In the fight between Europe’s richest Members States to protect their own financial interest
the poor in Europe and the rest of the world are the clear losers. Not only is there less money
than had been promised earlier, but the budget battle results in less attention paid to
eradicating poverty both in Europe and in the developing world. Europe’s rhetoric on tackling
poverty must be turned into reality to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,“ said Simon
Stocker, director of Eurostep.
Similarly Commission President Barroso wrote that the commitments made by Europeans to
increase their aid had a price and that “the level discussed in the European Council are not
sufficient to meet these commitments”.
“Rich Member States cannot continue to make nice promises to developing countries while
cutting Europe’s development spending. Lowest common denominator deals on the 2007-2013
budget will not solve the current European crisis. Europe needs sufficient resources to
demonstrate it can deliver on social justice and the eradication of poverty,” said Stocker.
For more information:
Florent Sebban, Eurostep Policy Advisor on +32 2 234 2667
Eurostep is a member of CONCORD
Eurostep A.I.S.B.L. 115 Rue Stévin, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel. +32 2 231 16 59 Fax. +32 2 230 37 80
E-mail: admin@eurostep.org Web: www.eurostep.org