European Year for Development 2015
I am delighted that the initiative to organise a European Year for Development in 2015 has received widespread inter-institutional support, as shown by yesterday's vote in the European Parliament. I know that such support will be crucial to making this year - the first ever European Year dealing with ‘external action’ of the EU - a success.
The European Year for Development 2015 is indeed set to be a special year, as the deadline for meeting the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (or MDGs) and for their replacements to be put in place. This year provides an unparalleled opportunity for us to engage with EU citizens, to showcase our strong commitment to eradicating poverty worldwide and to inform them how every euro of support helps to make a difference in the lives of so many, in some of the world’s poorest countries.
This European Year promises to be a major event and will need the broadest support possible to match its ambition and its huge geographical reach. I know that I can continue to rely on the support and help of the European Parliament, which together with the Economic and Social Committee, has been instrumental in the concept of the European Year for Development since the very beginning. I look forward to working closely with our partners, as well as Member States and citizens all over Europe, on what should be a very exciting, and groundbreaking, year for international development.
