The European Consensus on Development is a policy statement jointly adopted by the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament on 20 December 2005. For the first time in fifty years of cooperation, the Brussels consensus defines the framework of common principles within which the EU and its twenty seven Member States will each implement their development policies in a spirit of complementarity.

The European Union’s vision of development

The declaration sets out the objectives and principles on the basis of which the Member States and the Community commit themselves to a shared vision. As the chief objective is to reduce poverty worldwide in the context of sustainable development, the EU is seeking to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015:
• to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger;
• to achieve universal primary education;
• to promote gender equality and empower women;
• to reduce child mortality;
• to improve maternal health;
• to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
• to ensure environmental sustainability; and
• to set up a global partnership for development.

It also takes the view that the fundamental objective of poverty reduction is closely associated with the complementary objectives of promotion of good governance and respect for human rights, these being shared values underpinning the Union. The fight against poverty also implies achieving a balance between activities aimed at human development, at the protection of natural resources, and at economic growth and wealth creation to benefit poor people.

The common principles of development cooperation activities are ownership and partnership, in-depth political dialogue, participation of civil society, gender equality and an ongoing commitment to preventing state fragility. Developing countries bear the primary responsibility for their own development, but the EU accepts its share of responsibility and accountability for the joint efforts undertaken in partnership.

La UE se comprometió a aumentar los presupuestos dedicados a la ayuda hasta alcanzar el 0,7 % del producto interior bruto (PNB) de aquí a 2015, con un objetivo colectivo intermedio del 0,56 % de aquí a 2010; la mitad de este incremento de la ayuda se destinará a África. Se seguirá dando prioridad al apoyo a los países menos adelantados, los de rentabilidad baja e intermedia. Los recursos se asignarán de manera objetiva y transparente, en función de las necesidades y de los resultados. El principio de concentración orientará la programación de la Comunidad por países y regiones, lo que implicará seleccionar un número limitado de ámbitos prioritarios en vez de dispersar los esfuerzos en sectores excesivamente numerosos.

The EU will promote better coordination and complementarity between donors by working towards joint multi-annual programming based on partner country strategies and processes, common implementation mechanisms, joint missions involving more than one donor, and the use of co-financing arrangements. It will also foster consistency in development policy in a wide variety of areas, especially trade, security and migration, in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

The European Community development policy

Community policy in this field must complement the policies of the Member States. Its added value comes from its presence worldwide, its expertise in dispensing aid, its role in promoting consistency between policies and best practice and in facilitating coordination and harmonisation, its support for democracy, human rights, good governance and respect for international law, and its role in promoting participation in civil society and North-South solidarity.

The Community will use the most efficient instruments available: it will favour a differentiated approach based on needs, priorities and the strengths of the countries concerned. Development cooperation is a major component of a broader set of external measures which must be consistent and complementary. The programming documents - country, regional and thematic strategy papers - reflect this range of policies and ensure consistency between them.

To meet the needs stated by partner countries, the Community will concentrate its activities in the following areas: trade and regional integration; the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources; infrastructure, communications and transport; water and energy; rural development, territorial planning, agriculture and food security; governance, democracy, human rights and support for economic and institutional reforms; prevention of conflicts and of state fragility; human development; and social cohesion and employment.

The Community will strengthen mainstreaming in relation to certain issues involving general principles applicable to any initiative and which call for efforts in several sectors: democracy; good governance; human rights; the rights of children and indigenous peoples; gender equality; environmental sustainability; and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The aid modality provided will be tailored to the needs and context of each individual country. Where conditions allow, budget aid will be the preferred type. The Community will use an approach based on results and performance indicators. Most Community aid will continue to be provided in the form of grants, an approach which is particularly suitable for the poorest countries and for those with a limited ability to repay.