News
Statement of Commissioner Piebalgs In relation to: European Court of Auditors Special Report 'Has the devolution of the Commission's management of external assistance from its headquarters to its delegations led to improved aid delivery?
31/03/2011
I very much welcome this report ; it comes at a particularly opportune time as we look forward to renewing and improving our development cooperation approach over the next year, with two major consultations on the future of development launched at the end of last year.
EU allocates €65.9 million to support peacekeeping in Somalia
29/03/2011
During the annual joint meeting of the Ministers of Finance and economy of the African Union, Commissioner Piebalgs confirmed European Commission's support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by announcing an additional EUR 65.9 million to help keep the peacekeeping force in place and provide them with the means to do their job more easily, including medical care, transport and allowances.
EU allocates €65.9 million to support peacekeeping in Somalia
29/03/2011
During the annual joint meeting of the Ministers of Finance and economy of the African Union, Commissioner Piebalgs confirmed European Commission's support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by announcing an additional EUR 65.9 million to help keep the peacekeeping force in place and provide them with the means to do their job more easily, including medical care, transport and allowances.
World Water Day: Commission launches €40 million to improve access to water in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific
22/03/2011
To mark World Water Day on 22 March, whose focus is "Water for Cities – Responding to the Urban Challenge", EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs announces the launch of a pooling mechanism in the framework of the ACP-EU Water Facility. €40 million are available under this mechanism, which has been created to blend grants from the European Development Fund (EDF) with loans from the EU multilateral and bilateral finance institutions to finance projects for access to water and sanitation services in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. This financial instrument should increase the leverage effect of the financial aid and will trigger private sector participation. It will also contribute to EU support to Developing countries' efforts to reach the MDG for drinking water and sanitation.
Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, in Latvia to promote EU development policy
18/03/2011
Today, 18 March, Commissioner Piebalgs is on the official visit to Riga. He will meet with President of Latvia, Valdis Zalters and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis. The Commissioner will also discuss development policy issues with the Speaker of Saeima, Solvita Aboltina, and Latvian Members of the Parliament. Commissioner Piebalgs will also give a lecture and outline his vision of future EU development policy at the University of Latvia.
Joint Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Andris Piebalgs on presidential elections in Niger
15/03/2011
Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, and Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development made today the following statement:
Commissioner Piebalgs launched programmes worth €39 million to support Timor-Leste on its way to stable democracy and sustainable development
15/03/2011
Timor-Leste, while still a fragile state, has made impressive progress since its independence in 2002, emerging from a violent past and overcome dramatic challenges. European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs visited Timor-Leste from 7 until 10 March to confirm EU support to the country and the determination to assist Timor-Leste in climbing up the development ladder. He signed a package of four strategic programmes for a total amount of €39 million to support democratic governance, development of the rural areas, and the role of civil society. The Commissioner also met with President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta.
Empowering women projects
08/03/2011
The 8th March marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. The EU is working to improve the lives of women and girls throughout the world. Here you can find examples of how we help.
No development without women's empowerment
08/03/2011
To mark International Women's Day, the EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs will launch tomorrow, for the fifth year in a row, a Gender Drawing contest designed to raise awareness on women's conditions and rights in developing countries, through the involvement of children. He will also inaugurate a joint EU/UN photo exhibition in Timor Leste with the Special Representative of the UNSG Ms Ameerah Haq. Commissioner Piebalgs will reaffirm the European Commission’s steadfast commitment to improve the rights and chances for women, as well as the representation of women in developing countries to speed up progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Reaction to the report on Multilateral Aid Review of the UK Department for International Development
01/03/2011
"It is with great satisfaction that I took note of the Department for International Development (DFID)'s report on the Multilateral Aid Review that was published today. I was particularly pleased to see that the Commission is praised for its work in managing funds to fight poverty worldwide.
The overall conclusions of the report commend the Commission's efficient, transparent and well-targeted work in developing countries.
Commissioner Piebalgs announces new support for culture in the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries on the occasion of the Ouagadougou Film Festival
01/03/2011
To coincide with the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), the European Commission is launching the EU-ACP support programme for the ACP cultural sector totalling €30 million. The new programme will ensure that the achievements of the current film and cultural support programmes have a lasting legacy. These programmes have, for instance, made possible the Chad film "Un homme qui crie" by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Prix du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010, and "The last flight of the flamingo" by the Mozambique director, João Ribeiro, which won the award for best feature film at the 3rd International Film Festival of Luanda (Angola).
