By Martin Banks - 16th June 2010
During the next five years we need a catch up
Judith Sargentini
A new report presented in parliament in Strasbourg gives what MEPs describe as a "mixed picture" on progress towards meeting the UN millennium development goals (MDGs).
The report comes four months before what is seen as a key milestone: the mid-term review of the MDGs which aim is to slash poverty and malnutrition levels by 2015.
With only five years left until the 2015 deadline, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to attend a summit in New York on 20-22 September 2010 to accelerate progress towards the MDGs.
The parliamentary report, approved by members and drafted by UK Socialist Michael Cashman, sets out the efforts still needed to meet the UN objectives.
Reacting to the vote, Greens MEP Judith Sargentini, a member of parliament's development committee, said, "The assessment of the progress achieved gives a mixed picture.
"We are not on track to reach those goals, a failure due also to the EU and its member states, who didn't develop ambitious enough policies."
The report says most European countries have still not achieved the goal of 0.7 per cent GNP towards development cooperation and Sargentini said the economic crisis "is for many countries even a reason to cut their development aid".
"During the next five years we need a catch up," it said. "The Greens want the European countries to finally take their responsibility for the success of the MDGs. As a start, all European countries should spend 0.7 per cent of GNP on development aid."
GUE/NGL German MEP Gabriele Zimmer said approval of the report "sends a strong signal to member states that they cannot relinquish their responsibilities in the fight against poverty and hunger".
"I would have gone further and demanded that the EU cannot sign off on agreements unless they contribute in one way or another to the fulfilment of the MDGs," she said.
"With today's vote, parliament has clarified its position ahead of the summit of EU leaders at the end of this week and in advance of the UN mid-term review of the goals due in September in New York."
Meanwhile, Oxfam has accused EU development ministers of "failing to provide any guarantees to poor countries that Europe is serious about getting back on track to meet the MDGs".
Spokeswoman Ariane Arpa said, "With the economic crisis forcing a hundred people below the poverty line every minute, merely recommitting to a 40 years-old promise is nothing short of a scandal.
"EU development ministers have thrown cold water on efforts to get back on track to meet the MDGs and if this is not addressed, Europe cannot look credible in New York.
"It is now up to EU leaders to put a plan on the table to reach their aid commitments, in line with the commission's proposals, if they're serious about regaining the trust of the developing world, and their credibility on the global stage.
"Countries such as the UK and Belgium, which increased aid last year, are demonstrating that delivering on pledges to the poor is doable, if there is political will."
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