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L-Erbgħa, 6 ta' April 2011 - Strasburgu

14. Ir-Raba' Konferenza tan-Nazzjonijiet Unit dwar il-Pajjiżi l-Anqas Żviluppati

  El Presidente. − El siguiente punto del orden del día es el debate a partir de las Declaraciones del Consejo y de la Comisión sobre la Cuarta Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Países Menos Adelantados.

  Zsolt Németh, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, the European Union is fully committed to the success of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which will take place in Istanbul on 9-13 May 2011. It believes that this Conference provides a major opportunity to enhance support for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The Council has very recently adopted conclusions to be used as guidelines by the EU negotiators in the preparatory process and during the Conference. Prioritising LDCs is a necessity in our common endeavour to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We therefore remain firmly committed to supporting the inclusive and sustainable development of all LDCs, which represent the poorest and weakest segment of the international community and which are also characterised by their acute susceptibility to external economic shocks, natural and man-made disasters and communicable diseases.

We strongly support an outcome focusing on areas and measures that can add value with regard to the specific needs of LDCs and which should reflect the lessons learned from the 2001 Brussels Programme of Action, by maintaining coherence with the MDGs and setting specific goals and targets for LDCs. A long-term commitment through a renewed partnership with LDCs containing suitable measures is fundamental in a rapidly changing world.

In particular, the European Union considers that the outcome of the Istanbul Conference should address three main objectives: firstly, combating the vulnerability and fragility of LDCs and further enhancing their resilience to shocks; secondly, creating a favourable environment for the sustainable development of LDCs; thirdly, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth for LDCs. These objectives will continue to guide the European Union’s discussions with the LDCs throughout the preparatory process and during the Conference itself.

The European Union has always led the international community’s efforts to support the LDCs, and is their largest donor. It has been the most successful development partner at fulfilling its commitments, notably in terms of market access, rules of origin and debt alleviation. It has made significant progress on official development assistance (ODA) as well as on policy coherence for development.

Some LDCs have achieved good economic growth and progress in development during the last decade, yet we recognise that overall progress has been uneven. Considerable work remains to be done, notably in sub-Saharan Africa and in countries that are in both conflict and fragile situations. For that reason, the EU has recently reaffirmed its commitment, in the context of the overall ODA commitment to meet collectively the target of providing 0.15 – 0.20 of GNP to the LDCs.

The LDCs have primary responsibility for their own development, and assistance by the donor community ought to be based on the initiative and full ownership of the recipient countries. The European Union also stresses the interdependence of overall progress in the LDCs with the improvement of good governance, democracy, human rights and gender equality.

Finally, at the same time we are firmly convinced that all countries have the responsibility to help developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty and achieve progress towards the MDGs. Progress in the LDCs is interconnected with the quality and coherence of development partner policies. Strong efforts should therefore be directed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of aid mechanisms and to fulfilling existing commitments. On several occasions the EU has called on other donors to meet these commitments. Emerging economies should also provide their fair share of assistance to LDCs.

  Štefan Füle, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the Commission is committed to the success of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Istanbul, creating a renewed political momentum for inclusive growth, sustainable development and poverty reduction in the Least Developed Countries. This conviction and commitment of ours is expressed in the Council conclusions, adopted last week on 31 March, on Guidelines for the participation of the EU in the upcoming conference on the Least Developed Countries. I am also very happy to note that Parliament will be strongly represented in the delegation that will be attending this conference.

Many Least Developed Countries have made progress in their development, but progress has been uneven and considerable work remains to be done. Too few of the Least Developed Countries are graduating from the category and most are lagging behind in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We, both donors and Least Developed Countries, need to learn important lessons from the success of some of the Least Developed Countries, as well as from the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action.

Global partnership and mutual responsibility are vital for the success of the Conference. Development is a joint challenge. The developing countries have primary responsibility for their own development by designing and implementing appropriate policies and achieving good governance.

As regards the Least Developed Countries, the European Union has been their most successful development partner in fulfilling its commitments, notably in terms of market access, rules of origin and debt alleviation. The European Union is the largest donor to the Least Developed Countries and has made significant progress concerning Official Development Assistance, tripling its aid to these countries in the past decade.

In Istanbul the European Union will call upon other donors and development partners to match its commitment and ambition. Developed countries have a responsibility to help developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty. In this context of global partnership the emerging economies should also do their share.

Sustainable development and long-term equitable and inclusive growth are essential for each of these countries. The private sector has a crucial role to play in this regard and can have a huge impact on people’s lives through generating wealth and employment.

The potential of trade as an engine for growth and employment is considerable. Nevertheless, the European Union wants to underline the interdependence of progress in the Least Developed Countries with human rights, gender equality, democracy, good governance, peace and security.

Progress in the Least Developed Countries is interconnected with equality and coherence of development partners’ policies. Therefore strenuous efforts should be directed towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of aid mechanisms, as well as policy coherence for development.

The Presidency has already announced three priorities, so let me just add that the conference should address the issue of graduation also. The European Union will be calling for a more systematic mechanism for granting time-sensitive concession and support to graduating countries. The Commission is convinced that this new momentum will result in a significant increase in the number of countries graduating from the category of the Least Developed Countries in the next decade.

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ ΛΑΜΠΡΙΝΙΔΗΣ
Αντιπρόεδρος

  Ελένη Θεοχάρους, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας PPE. – Κύριε Επίτροπε, κύριε Υπουργέ, πολύ σωστά έχει λεχθεί ότι τα συμπεράσματα του Συμβουλίου, σε συνάρτηση με τις δεσμεύσεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, πρέπει να συνοδεύονται από αποτελεσματικά μέτρα για να στηριχθεί η όλη προσπάθεια. Βεβαίως η αντιπροσωπεία του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στη σύνοδο του Οργανισμού Ηνωμένων Εθνών στην Κωνσταντινούπολη για τις λιγότερο αναπτυγμένες χώρες, θα είναι "εξοπλισμένη" και με ένα καλό ψήφισμα που εκφράζει ικανοποιητικές θέσεις. Ωστόσο, υπάρχει πρόβλημα με το status της αντιπροσωπείας, διότι ως παρατηρητές δεν θα έχουν τη δυνατότητα για άμεση παρέμβαση και νομίζω ότι η Επιτροπή και ο Πρόεδρος Barroso, μπορούν να κάνουν μια σημαντική παρέμβαση ώστε να διαφοροποιηθεί αυτή η κατάσταση. Διότι η ανάπτυξη και η ασφάλεια της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και ο έλεγχος των μεταναστευτικών ρευμάτων δεν μπορεί να επιτευχθεί με ένα δισ. περίπου πολίτες να ζουν στην αθλιότητα και στην φτώχεια.

Φαίνεται ότι οι προσπάθειες για την ανάπτυξη των λιγότερο αναπτυγμένων χωρών, πρέπει να αναθεωρηθούν διότι, ναι μεν φταίνε και οι λιγότερο αναπτυγμένες χώρες, αλλά, ωστόσο, οι μηχανισμοί που χρησιμοποιούνται για να σπάσουμε τον φαύλο κύκλο της φτώχειας εμφανίζονται ότι δεν είναι αποτελεσματικοί .

Επισημαίνω ότι η εκμετάλλευση του πλούτου στις υποανάπτυκτες χώρες γίνεται από άλλους, πλην των γηγενών πληθυσμών, και ότι το δημοκρατικό έλλειμμα και η διαφθορά, αλλά και η ανασφάλεια είναι τα κύρια χαρακτηριστικά των χωρών αυτών. Όλα αυτά οδηγούν στην έλλειψη βασικών υποδομών στους τομείς της παιδείας, της υγείας, των συγκοινωνιών, των επικοινωνιών, της πρωτογενούς παραγωγής, της γεωργίας, του τραπεζικού συστήματος και της δημόσιας διοίκησης. Νομίζω ότι στην Κωνσταντινούπολη μπορεί να τεθούν οι μηχανισμοί για μια καλύτερη προσπέλαση του φαινομένου της φτώχειας.

  Thijs Berman, namens de S&D-Fractie. – Een economische groei van 7%, een ruime toename van het aantal kinderen dat naar de lagere school gaat, meer landen waar bevolkingen hun democratie opeisen: in de minst ontwikkelde landen in Afrika is er in de afgelopen 10 jaar veel vooruitgang geboekt. Deze landen werkten aan een beter bestuur en mobiliseerden hun eigen financiële middelen. De rijke landen zorgden onder andere voor schuldverlichting en beschikbaarheid van vaccinaties. Maar wij zijn er nog lang niet, want de snelle economische groei in de armste landen zorgt niet voor een evenredige afname van de armoede.

De lijst met de armste landen is al decennia vrijwel onveranderd. Het aantal mensen dat moet leven van minder dan 1 dollar per dag is gedaald, maar het aantal mensen dat van minder dan 2 dollar per dag moet leven, blijft gelijk. De rijke landen hielden liever corrupte regimes in stand dan over eerlijk delen na te denken. Het is dan absurd en cynisch om vervolgens te roepen dat het ontwikkelingsbeleid niet werkt. Wij hebben het onvoldoende de kans gegeven.

De VN-conferentie in Istanboel zal hieruit de conclusies moeten trekken. Er moet veel meer aandacht zijn voor de eerlijke verdeling van welvaart binnen de armste landen zelf. Dat levert stabiliteit op, die eerlijke verdeling. Dat neemt spanningen weg en brengt vrede. Sociale rechtvaardigheid brengt ook veel meer economische ontwikkeling dan de ongelijkheid van dictaturen met een kleine clan aan de top. Landen met een democratie bereiken die eerlijke verdeling veel sneller dan dictaturen. Goed bestuur brengt de millenniumdoelen dichterbij.

Ook voor de volksgezondheid is meer nodig. Voor een gezin in een arm land is een ziekte een financiële ramp. Ziekte is een luxe die niemand zich kan veroorloven. Wij moeten daarom werken aan de financiering van gezondheidszorg met zorgverzekeringen, zodat er niet alleen vaccinaties beschikbaar zijn, maar ook goede ziekenhuizen en klinieken.

  Charles Goerens, au nom du groupe ALDE. – Monsieur le Président, de 1980 à 2011, le produit intérieur brut mondial a augmenté de 19 000 milliards de dollars. Cet accroissement devrait dégager suffisamment de moyens pour éradiquer l'extrême pauvreté. Voilà pour ce qui est de l'arithmétique.

En ce qui concerne la politique, l'amélioration du sort des plus pauvres n'est pas aussi évidente. Il faut donc faire les choix qui s'imposent. Premièrement, il faut cibler les pays les plus pauvres dans nos programmes de coopération.

Deuxièmement, et c'est le corollaire du premier point, il faut se retirer progressivement des pays émergents. La Chine, premier créancier des États-Unis, a suffisamment de moyens à sa disposition pour faire face à la pauvreté régnant à l'intérieur de ses frontières.

Troisième point: il nous faut des partenariats forts avec les pays les moins avancés. C'est à eux de faire l'essentiel. Nous ne pouvons que les accompagner avec notre savoir-faire, avec notre expertise, avec notre volonté politique. Ce n'est rien que cela, mais c'est tout cela.

Et, dernier point: comme nous sommes le premier donateur, nous avons aussi vocation, en tant qu'Union européenne, à assurer un rôle de leadership à ladite conférence.

  Nirj Deva, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, I want to thank Mrs Theocharous for raising the issue of the status of the European Parliament at international conferences: we are one of the three sister institutions of the EU and we need to have a look at this very quickly or there is going to be trouble. We are the largest donor to the Least Developed Countries in the world; we have trebled aid in the last few years but poverty has increased, not decreased.

Some ten years ago Pascal Lamy and the Development Committee introduced ‘Everything but Arms’. Gradually this Parliament turned it into ‘Anything but Farms’. Now the Least Developed Countries in the world do not have industrial capacity, they have agriculture capacity. If you are really interested in eliminating poverty and helping these people, we need to increase their capacity to trade. It is not aid, but trade, that is going to reduce poverty. But in order to reduce poverty and to increase trade, we need to increase their capacity to export what they can export, which is agricultural produce, fisheries produce and so on. But we do not do that.

We have introduced stringent standards, which is very important for the health of the European consumer, but we do not help to increase the capacity of these Least Developed Countries. So, out of 51, only three have matriculated from being a Least Developed country to not being Least Developed Country. We have got to increase that effort otherwise we are just fooling ourselves and those countries.

  Gabriele Zimmer, im Namen der GUE/NGL-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Ich möchte eigentlich die beiden Vertreter von Rat und Kommission fragen, warum sie glauben, zu diesem Thema hier mit Sprechblasen antreten zu müssen. Ich glaube, es hilft niemandem, wenn nicht ganz konkret ausgesprochen wird, dass gerade in Vorbereitung auf die Istanbuler Konferenz die Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union und die Europäische Union ihren Verpflichtungen für die Entwicklungshilfe endlich vollständig nachkommen müssen, und dass in keiner Weise geduldet werden kann, dass sich Mitgliedstaaten dieser Verpflichtung zunehmend entziehen.

Es ist nicht hinnehmbar, dass eine Milliarde Menschen täglich immer noch hungern und dass die meisten davon noch in den LDC, also in den ärmsten Ländern der Welt leben. Und es ist nicht hinnehmbar, dass ein Großteil unserer Entwicklungshilfe eben nicht in die Förderung und den Aufbau von landwirtschaftlichen Strukturen geht, sondern dass dieser Anteil in den letzten Jahren rapide zurückgegangen ist, und das bei einer Milliarde hungernder Menschen. Dann davon zu reden, dass wir darauf hoffen, dass die LDC schockresistenter werden, das halte ich schon langsam für zynisch.

Ich fordere Sie auf, konkret und klar die Probleme anzusprechen und konkrete Verpflichtungen zu übernehmen, um den LDC auch tatsächlich zu helfen!

  Philip Claeys (NI). - De komende VN-top over de minst ontwikkelde landen is een goede gelegenheid om een debat te houden over zin en onzin van ontwikkelingshulp. Het zogenaamde aid quantity argument, de stelling dat hoe meer steun wordt gegeven, hoe meer economische ontwikkeling er komt, heeft volledig gefaald.

Ik zou van mijn spreektijd gebruik willen maken om de Keniaanse econoom James Shikwati te citeren uit Der Spiegel online van 7 april 2005. Met ontwikkelingssteun worden grote bureaucratieën onderhouden, corruptie en zelfgenoegzaamheid worden aangemoedigd, Afrikanen wordt geleerd om te bedelen in plaats van zelfstandig te zijn.

Bovendien verzwakt ontwikkelingshulp de plaatselijke markten en doet zij de ondernemingsgeest verdampen die wij juist zo hard nodig hebben. Hoe absurd het ook mag klinken, ontwikkelingshulp is een van de oorzaken van de problemen van Afrika. Als het westen die betalingen zou stopzetten, zouden de normale Afrikanen het niet eens merken. Alleen functionarissen zouden hard getroffen worden. Dus in plaats van meer geld te geven zou er minder corruptie moeten komen, meer ondernemerschap en meer zelfredzaamheid.

(De spreker stemt in met een "blauwe kaart"-vraag (artikel 149, lid 8 van het Reglement).)

  Thijs Berman (S&D). - Kunt u het met mij eens zijn dat buitenlandse belangen van de rijke westerse landen in Europa en de Verenigde Staten ervoor hebben gezorgd dat dictators in stand zijn gehouden en dat dát ervoor heeft gezorgd dat de ontwikkelingshulp vaak niet werkt, omdat die in de verkeerde zakken terechtkwam en wij daar nooit iets tegen hebben ondernomen uit naam van een stabiliteit die haar naam niet verdiende, zoals wel blijkt in Noord-Afrika en het Midden-Oosten? Opkomen voor democratie betekent opkomen voor democraten in ontwikkelingslanden en dictatoren laten vallen, maar ontwikkelingshulp laten doorgaan.

  Philip Claeys (NI). - Ja, ik ben het inderdaad voor een deel eens met wat collega Berman zegt. Inderdaad hebben wij er schuld aan dat er dictatoren aan de macht zijn kunnen blijven. Ik denk bijvoorbeeld aan het Europees beleid ten opzichte van Cuba, waar wij gezien hebben dat Fidel Castro wordt beschouwd als een partner met wie gepraat kan worden. Dat soort zaken zou inderdaad tot het verleden moeten behoren en wij zouden enkel nog moeten spreken met mensen die democratisch verkozen zijn en ook de potentie hebben om in hun eigen land een democratie te vestigen.

  Filip Kaczmarek (PPE). - Panie Przewodniczący! Termin LDC powstał 40 lat temu po to, by pomóc krajom rozwiniętym i innym darczyńcom w rozpoznaniu tych wspólnot na świecie, które najbardziej potrzebują pomocy. Definicja LDC stosowana przez ONZ nie jest oparta wyłącznie na poziomie dochodów w przeliczeniu na mieszkańca, ale uwzględnia również kapitał ludzki czy utrudnienia w rozwoju gospodarczym. Rozmieszczenie tych krajów jest bardzo charakterystyczne, bo zdecydowana ich większość jest zlokalizowana w Afryce. Słusznie zatem Unia Europejska zwraca szczególną uwagę na ten kontynent.

Jednym z zasadniczych problemów jest to, że liczba krajów zaliczanych do LDC rośnie, a państwa, które rozwinęły się na tyle, aby móc opuścić tę grupę są zaledwie trzy. Dlatego właśnie konferencja ONZu powinna poważnie zastanowić się nad tym, w jaki sposób wprowadzić skuteczną, mierzalną i łatwą do monitorowania strategię wychodzenia krajów z grupy LDC. Cieszę się, że Komisja Europejska i Rada mają propozycje, które mogą pomóc w tym procesie. Jedną z nich jest promocja włączającego wzrostu. Wiem, że niektórzy posłowie obawiają się tego terminu, bo nie są pewni, czy wzrost będzie naprawdę włączający. Ale z drugiej strony bez wzrostu nie zbudujemy możliwości ekonomicznych krajów rozwijających się.

  Κρίτων Αρσένης (S&D). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, χρειαζόμαστε έναν απτό στόχο, ο οποίος να αποφασιστεί στη συνάντηση της Κωνσταντινούπολης και ο στόχος αυτός θα πρέπει να είναι η μείωση του αριθμού των λιγότερο αναπτυγμένων χωρών στο μισό από ότι είναι σήμερα. Ακούγεται αυτονόητο κάτι τέτοιο, όμως εδώ και 30 χρόνια μόλις 3 απ' αυτές τις χώρες κατάφεραν να βγούνε από την κατηγορία των λιγότερο αναπτυγμένων χωρών.

Για να το πετύχουμε, θα πρέπει να τηρήσουμε τις δεσμεύσεις μας και να συμβάλλουμε κάθε χρονιά με 0,15 έως 0,20% του Ακαθάριστου Εθνικού Προϊόντος (ΑΕΠ) μας για αναπτυξιακή βοήθεια προς τις χώρες αυτές. Το ίδιο σημαντικό είναι να εξασφαλίσουμε τη συνοχή των πολιτικών μας για την ανάπτυξη (policy coherence for development). Δεν μπορούμε από τη μία να δίνουμε χρήματα σ' αυτές τις χώρες και απ' την άλλη - στην ουσία - να τους τα κλέβουμε μέσα από άδικες εμπορικές συμφωνίες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης με αυτές. Πρέπει να πληρώσουμε το χρηματικό μας χρέος, και αυτό σημαίνει επίσης επένδυση σ' αυτές τις χώρες, τόσο για την προσαρμογή τους και την αντιμετώπιση της κλιματικής αλλαγής, όσο και για το συσσωρευμένο χρέος μας από τις αδικίες της Κοινής Αγροτικής Πολιτικής μας . Για να το κάνουμε αυτό πρέπει να προωθήσουμε τη διατροφική κυριαρχία (food sovereignty) αυτών των χωρών, στηρίζοντας παραδοσιακές αγροτικές πρακτικές, τοπικούς πόρους, τοπικές καλλιέργειες, τοπικές αγορές και επίσης να αποτρέψουμε τις κερδοσκοπικές επιθέσεις, την αρπαγή γης και τα μονοπώλια σπόρων που απειλούν όλους μας, αλλά, ακόμη περισσότερο αυτές τις αδύναμες χώρες.

(Ο ομιλητής δέχεται να απαντήσει σε μία ερώτηση "γαλάζια κάρτα" (άρθρο 149, παράγραφος 8 του Κανονισμού))

  Nirj Deva (ECR). - Mr President, I wonder whether the honourable gentleman will agree with me – because he used a very strong word ‘steal’ – that we steal from developing countries. Such an example could be that we give EUR 2 million to a small island off the Atlantic coast for their fisheries, for 7 000 tonnes of tuna, and we sell that on the streets of Europe for EUR 235 million. So we convert EUR 2 million to EUR 235 million. That is what we do with our fisheries policies.

  Κρίτων Αρσένης (S&D). - Κύριε Πρόεδρε, έχει δίκιο ο κ. Deva. Σε μεγάλο βαθμό οι αλιευτικές συμφωνίες της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης με τρίτες χώρες είναι ένα θέμα που χρήζει να επανεξεταστεί σε βάθος. Οι συμφωνίες είναι απαραίτητες, όμως είναι και απαραίτητο η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση όταν συνάπτει αυτές τις συμφωνίες για τα αλιεύματα με τις εν λόγω χώρες, να το κάνει με τον πιο βιώσιμο δυνατό τρόπο. Όμως χρειάζεται να εξετάσουμε επίσης, εάν τα χρήματα που δίνουμε ως αντάλλαγμα για τα αλιεύματα είναι επαρκή και εάν χρησιμοποιούνται ως αναπτυξιακή βοήθεια, ενισχύοντας τελικά αυτές τις χώρες να εξέλθουν από την κατηγορία των λιγότερο αναπτυγμένων χωρών.

  Marek Henryk Migalski (ECR). - Nie ma racji minister Németh twierdząc, że sytuacja wychodzenia państw z grupy LDC jest optymistyczna, natomiast mają rację posłowie Deva, Kaczmarek i Arsenis, wg których w ciągu ostatnich 10 lat jedynie trzy kraje, Botswana, Republika Zielonego Przylądka i Malediwy wyszły z tej grupy. Oznacza to, że tak naprawdę główną przyczyną biedy jest polityka. Mamy przecież bardzo bogate kraje, które nie posiadają żadnych zasobów naturalnych, np. Szwajcaria czy Japonia, a z drugiej strony mamy państwa bogate w surowce naturalne, które są jednak biedne. Oznacza to, że przyczyną biedy jest polityka, a nie odwrotnie. Dlatego oprócz pomocy krajom LDC i handlu z nimi rola Unii Europejskiej powinna polegać na pomocy politycznej prowadzącej do stabilizacji i demokracji w tych krajach. Jest to nasz obowiązek.

  Elena Băsescu (PPE). - A patra Conferinţă a ONU privind ţările cele mai puţin dezvoltate reprezintă un bun prilej pentru a revizui politica internaţională de ajutor pentru comerţ. Acest grup de ţări se confruntă cu dificultăţi în contextul schimbărilor economice globale care au urmat crizei financiare. Creşterea continuă a preţului la alimentele de bază este o problemă stringentă, care nu poate fi trecută cu vederea.

Scopul principal al ajutorului pentru comerţ este creşterea competitivităţii interne şi internaţionale a celor 48 de state. În acest sens, subliniez importanţa eradicării sărăciei şi utilizarea eficientă a ajutoarelor financiare în cadrul atingerii Obiectivelor de dezvoltare ale mileniului. Consider utilă implicarea statelor în curs de dezvoltare în acest proces, datorită experienţei pe care o deţin în domeniul reformei facilităţilor comerciale.

  Mariya Nedelcheva (PPE). - Monsieur le Président, les progrès des pays les moins avancés sont le reflet de nos propres politiques de développement et de celles de la communauté internationale. L'augmentation du nombre de pays classés comme moins avancés donne une indication claire que le temps est venu de revoir nos politiques, nos instruments et nos moyens. Les plus pauvres sont facilement en proie aux guerres, aux crises et à la pauvreté généralisée, d'où l'importance de poursuivre les efforts pour la paix et la stabilité, la démocratie et les droits de l'homme.

Trois choses doivent encore être prises en compte. D'abord, il faudra revoir les facteurs internes tels la corruption, le manque de garde-fous démocratiques ou les lacunes en matière de droits de propriété, responsables du maintien de ces pays dans une situation de sous-développement.

Ensuite, au plan économique, il faut enrichir notre approche en apportant un soutien plus fort aux agriculteurs, aux PME et à la bonne utilisation des ressources de l'État afin de mettre sur pied de nouveaux instruments.

Enfin, nous devons rendre nos instruments d'aide mieux ciblés et veiller à leur cohérence avec les OMD. C'est en synchronisant les politiques de développement global avec les vrais besoins des pays et le rôle accru du secteur privé et de la société civile que nous allons mieux répondre aux défis de la prochaine décennie.

  Ricardo Cortés Lastra (S&D). - Señor Presidente, hace diez años los países donantes acordamos en Bruselas un plan de acción para los países menos adelantados. En él se establecieron objetivos para la eliminación de la extrema pobreza en estos países.

A todos nos resulta evidente que los países menos adelantados son quienes más sufren los efectos de las crisis globales, ya sean económicas y financieras, medioambientales o debidas al aumento de los precios de los alimentos.

Sin embargo, diez años después, no hemos logrado los objetivos que nos propusimos y sólo dos de los cuarenta y ocho países que forman parte del bloque de esos países han logrado salir del mismo.

Nos encontramos en un momento fundamental. En la próxima Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas en Estambul se revisará el trabajo realizado y se establecerá un nuevo plan de acción.

Debemos renovar nuestro compromiso con los países menos adelantados y demostrar que en diez años hemos aprendido las lecciones del periodo anterior y estamos en disposición de brindar una ayuda eficaz y de calidad que nos permita cumplir nuestros objetivos no en 2021, sino en 2015, con el cumplimiento de los objetivos del milenio.

  Catherine Stihler (S&D). - Mr President, the three key areas – the vulnerability of LDCs, sustainable development and the promotion of economic growth – are all welcome. However, I wanted to ask whether food security will be part of the discussions.

There was mention of sub-Saharan Africa; currently 80% of sub-Saharan African farmers are female. If we can help with the development of better agricultural methods, investing in those who are the most vulnerable in our world, helping them to feed themselves, we can make a huge contribution to the health and the wellbeing of the poorest in our world.

I wish the delegation well as they go from this Parliament to the Conference, but I also look forward to the report back that we will hear from all those who will attend.

  Norica Nicolai (ALDE). - Sunt convinsă că acest Parlament este un parlament responsabil pentru rezultatele pe care Comunitatea Europeană le are în cadrul proiectului de solidaritate globală în combaterea sărăciei. În acelaşi timp, sunt foarte convinsă că suntem un parlament responsabil în ceea ce priveşte utilizarea banilor contribuabililor europeni. Aş vrea să încerc să acreditez ideea că această conferinţă trebuie să constituie, inclusiv pentru noi, un prilej de evaluare a modelului de solidaritate pe care l-am promovat. Pentru că, dacă ne vom uita la ceea ce numim noi ţări mai puţin dezvoltate, vom vedea că ţările sărace rămân în continuare sărace, iar ţările bogate îşi menţin un anumit standard de viaţă.

Este nevoie de o reevaluare a modelului de donaţie, a sprijinului pe care îl acordăm, pentru că riscăm ca aceste ajutoare să devină ajutoare fatale pentru ţările cărora le acordăm.

  João Ferreira (GUE/NGL). - Neste debate falámos dos países mais pobres e mais fracos do planeta. Quase meia centena de países cujos povos sofrem na pele os sucessivos fracassos na implementação das recomendações saídas de sucessivas conferências das Nações Unidas. Não é nenhuma fatalidade do destino, nem são inelutáveis limitações ou constrangimentos naturais que tornam estes países pobres, bem pelo contrário, vários deles são ricos, muito ricos em recursos naturais.

É sim na injustiça e na desumanidade de um sistema, de um modo de organização económica e social dominante à escala mundial que se sustenta em relações assimétricas geradoras e reprodutoras de desigualdades. É o resultado do livre comércio, da desregulamentação financeira, da fuga ilícita de capitais permitida pelos paraísos fiscais, mas também da guerra e dos conflitos alimentados pela disputa de recursos naturais. É na rotura com os fundamentos deste sistema, é numa genuína e solidária cooperação e ajuda ao desenvolvimento que encontramos a possibilidade de emancipação destes povos e de desenvolvimento dos seus países.

  Štefan Füle, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, I think that this interesting debate shows that we all share the same objectives. This is also reflected in the joint motion for a resolution presented by the political groups. In particular, I would like to mention the following main objectives that we all share: first of all that the conference should be results-oriented and that the European Union should fulfil its commitments.

The object of this is to support countries, so that they can graduate from least-developed country status. We have undertaken commitments in terms of market access and debt alleviation, as well as reserving a share of official development assistance for the least-developed countries. Clearly, policy coherence for development should contribute to all policy areas in support of the least-developed countries’ fight against poverty and priority should be given, as Ms Stihler quite rightly highlighted, to food security, agriculture and infrastructure. Indeed, as Mr Deva suggested, trade plays a very important role.

We have all recognised the least-developed countries’ primary responsibility for their own development, which is why a more efficient tax system and good governance in tax matters are needed to enhance their domestic resources.

Finally, even if they bear practically no responsibility for climate change, the least-developed countries will be hit the hardest by it and we have an obligation to help them adapt to this.

In conclusion, this House has always given great support for the cause of the least-developed countries and I am sure that this will continue.

  Zsolt Németh, President-in-Office of the Council. − Mr President, concerning the sum total of the ODA, I would like to underline that, since 2002 when establishing its commitment for the Monterey Conference, the Council has reiterated the need to mobilise all other available sources of financing for development – primarily domestic resources complemented by viable innovative financing mechanisms – and support from developed countries, the private sector and emerging economies.

In the latest conclusions of April 2011 the Council pointed out that the EU is seriously considering proposals for innovative financing mechanisms with significant revenue generation potential, with a view to ensuring predictable financing for development, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable countries. I agree with Commissioner Füle’s opinion concerning the relevance of keeping to our commitments in the European Union and also his comments concerning the importance of increasing the possibility of trade between LDCs and the European Union.

  President. − I have received six motions for resolution⁽¹⁾tabled in accordance with Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure.

The debate is closed.

The vote will take place on Thursday, 7 April 2011 at noon.

(1) See Minutes.