Text tabled : A7-0205/2011

  Robert Rochefort (ALDE), in writing. – (FR) The reduction of poverty is the primary objective of EU development policy, as defined by the Treaty of Lisbon. The European Union is also the largest provider of aid to the world’s poor countries. This aid is fundamental, and it must have the highest possible impact.

This text, which I support, calls, in particular, for aid to be provided in a predictable manner and for the Member States to keep their promises – even in the context of the economic crisis we are going through. It also calls for projects and policies funded by the European Union to be routinely assessed, though this should not lead to favouring a purely quantitative and short-term assessment of the results, and for the transparency of aid spending to be improved.

I think both these ideas, which would make it possible to maximise aid to poor countries, are correct. Finally, the report stresses the need to promote industrial development and the development of infrastructure in a sustainable manner, and to develop technology transfer to stimulate growth and to reduce the poverty of the population of poor countries.