EU Welcomes Outcome of Monterrey Conference

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 23, 2002

EU Welcomes Outcome of Monterrey Conference

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said on Friday that the International Conference on Financing for Development had been "a huge success" from the perspective of the European Union (EU).

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said on Friday that the International Conference on Financing for Development had been "a huge success" from the perspective of the European Union (EU).

Speaking at a joint press conference here with European Commission President Romano Prodi, Aznar said EU contribution to development went slightly further than the Monterrey Consensus adopted at the conference, but was fully in line with it.

"Those countries that had already achieved the agreed 0.37 percent average ODA (official development assistance) level should maintain it and those that had not should aim for 0.39 percent," said Aznar, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency.

Ahead of the Monterrey summit, the EU agreed to increase its annual assistance level from 0.33 percent of its gross national product to 0.39 percent by 2006.

He said discussions had reached consensus on the rule of law, equality of opportunity for men and women, openness to investment, greater liberalization of trade, as well as improvement in trade quantity and quality, and monitoring of results on the ground.

On his part, Prodi said: "Monterrey must be seen as a step in the direction of more sustainable development." "The real question was how to gain the maximum development for the greatest number (of people) possible."

Noting that Africa was not only Europe's neighbor, but also the continent most in need of development, he said the European Commission would push education initiatives in that region.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Feature: Security Stepped Up for U.N. Summit in Mexico

Bush Calls for Reform on Ways of Development Aid

Consensus of Monterrey: Commitment to Boost Investment