DEVELOPMENT: New EU Aid Chief to Target 0.7 Percent

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Stefania Bianchi

BRUSSELS, Aug 13 2004 (IPS) - One of the first tasks of new EU development commissioner Louis Michel will be to persuade member states to contribute 0.7 percent of GNI to external aid.

Belgian Michel declared after he was picked for the role by José Manuel Barroso who becomes European Union (EU) Commission president in November that he would “work to honour those who had supported me.”

Michel says one of his early priorities will be to discuss development issues with members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

He also plans to visit several member countries to persuade their governments to increase their aid budgets to 0.7 percent of their gross national income (GNI).

“Louise Michel will concentrate on developing coherent cooperation projects with the greatest of efficiency and will pay particular attention to the environmental aspects of such projects,” reads a statement on his website.

Michel adds that improving relationships with the “large international actors for cooperation” will be central to his role. He said talks with the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation could create a “real and common strategy for cooperation.”

Michel strongly backed Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt in opposing the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Michel has extensive experience of working with Africa, particularly with Belgium’s former colonies, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.

Earlier this year he drew up a plan to revive economic cooperation among the three African countries in an effort to ease tensions between them. Michel said they could learn from the economic integration among European nations after World War II that eventually led to the formation of the EU.

“I’m not saying this is the only solution, but it would be wrong to underestimate the potential of this economic community,” he said during a visit to the three Great Lakes Countries in July.

Michel will take over after heading off competition from Austria’s Benita Ferrero- Waldner who had indicated her interest in the post in an interview with the British Financial Times newspaper earlier this month.

“Given my long experience in foreign affairs and development aid there would seem to be a suitable position (in the Commission),” she had said.

Belgian commentators suggest that Barroso favoured Michel, a French-speaking Liberal to Ferrero-Waldner because of his extensive knowledge of Africa.

The international humanitarian organisation Oxfam welcomed Michel’s appointment.

“We look forward to working closely with him,” Jo Leadbeater, head of Oxfam’s EU office told IPS. “The EU has the potential to make a massive contribution to the Millennium Development Goals in 2005 and we need a hard-hitting development commissioner who will ensure that Europe lives up to its potential and puts poverty eradication at the heart of its external assistance programme.”

Belgium was fairly low in the national pecking order of Commission appointments that saw the EU’s biggest countries scoop up plum jobs and powerful policy areas. But the development portfolio, often regarded as a lowly position in national cabinets, controls a hefty budget at the EU level.

Commissioners from smaller and new EU member states were also given important portfolios. Siim Kallas from Estonia was made vice-president of the Commission, with responsibility for tackling fraud.

Britain’s Peter Mandelson will be the new trade commissioner, another important portfolio and one of the few areas in which the Commission is clearly more powerful than EU member states. With international trade talks set to conclude over the coming years, he is guaranteed a high-profile job.

“Mr Mandelson will have the opportunity to help the EU deliver vital changes that could lift millions out of poverty,” said Leadbeater. “We really hope he will step up to the mark and meet the commitments the EU has given to make trade work for development.”

Barroso, who made his announcement a week earlier than expected, said his job was made easier by the high quality of candidates proposed by member states.

“I have organised this strong team to ensure we work efficiently and achieve the goals we set ourselves,” he said in a statement Thursday. “I attach great importance to team players committed to the European general interest.”

The new Commission members will meet informally Aug. 20 to thrash out ideas. The commissioners-designate will also appear before the European Parliament for hearings late September and early October.

The parliament will formally approve the Commission before it can take up its work Nov. 1.