EU-Africa Summit 8 December 2007 Intervention by Taoiseach at Second Plenary Session on theme of “Trade, Infrastructure and Development”.

I commend the two Presidencies – Portugal and Ghana - for the excellent work they have put into organising this most important Summit. It is indeed timely that we revisit and revitalise the relationship between Europe and Africa.

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals should be the objective of everyone in Africa and in Europe. I am happy to say that Ireland is playing its part. We have made the MDGs the overarching framework for Ireland’s overseas aid programme. We have pledged to reach the target of spending 0.7% of gross national product on ODA by 2012. Next year we will reach 0.54%, so we are well on track. I will encourage all of my colleagues to do the same and to make the MDGs a reality.

Internationally, overseas aid levels will need to double if we are to reach the 2015 target. It is disappointing that progress is slow and imperative that we renew our commitment.

Ireland is focusing our expanded aid programme on key priorities in the social sector, including health, education and the fight against HIV and AIDS. Africa will continue to be central to our programme. Seven of the nine countries to which Ireland gives particular priority are on the African continent, including most recently Malawi where we are in the process of establishing a programme.

Overseas development assistance is not in itself sufficient. Coherence between aid, trade, environmental, agricultural, migration and security policies are vital too.

As Governments, we have an obligation to tackle absolute poverty and exclusion. It is important that we invest in knowledge and people skills that will allow adaptation, improve productivity and harness the energy of those who have borne the brunt of under-development.

Secondly, there must be a commitment to a governance environment that ensures accountability and investment. Citizens should have a stake in its development and a key role in shaping it to suit their needs. The ingredients are well known – properly functioning democratic institutions where there are free and fair elections, a fair and transparent legal system, a stable regulatory environment, and the rule of law. I believe that Social Partnership and the involvement of civil society are central to achieving this. I would also emphasise that respect for the rights of the individual, and the effective safeguarding of human rights, must be paramount in our common approach to governance.

In addition, Governments must be accountable to those who elect them and must do everything in their power to reduce the levels of corruption in society. Without political will to improve governance, and relentless action, gains made in other areas are unlikely to find fertile ground in which to take root.

Finally, fair and equitable access to opportunities for development including trade, investment, knowledge and technology are essential.

While this approach has worked successfully for Ireland, I am highly sensitive to the immediate and real fears of developing countries around opening their economies in such a way. Europe’s approach to the talks surrounding the Economic Partnership Agreements must be one of goodwill, flexibility and of course partnership. The development aspects of these Agreements must take priority.

At the same time a freer trade environment is vital for sustainable development. I believe strongly that increased and more effective Aid for Trade is needed. It will enable developing countries take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by international trade.

Ireland is committed to a considerable scaling up of our Aid for Trade related assistance targets for the African continent. We are also keen to share knowledge and experience of private sector development. In this regard, Irish Aid supports a not-for-profit organisation, TRAIDLINKS which is connecting the African producer and the Irish supplier to ensure that African products can enter the Irish market.

The link between security and development is also vital. Africa itself recognises this link. The development of the African Stand-By Forces is an excellent example of an African-led initiative to improve capabilities in the crucial area of conflict prevention and resolution.

The Joint Strategy which we will adopt at this Summit recognises that there is much which close cooperation between Europe and Africa in this area can impart. Europe will continue to be a steadfast partner for Africa in confronting serious humanitarian situations of the kind which has arisen in Darfur.

Ireland has a long tradition of peacekeeping in Africa, most recently in Liberia. Nationally we are taking a leadership role in the new EU mission which is being deployed in eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic in pursuit of UN Security Council Resolution 1778. This mission will directly address some of the regional consequences of the appalling crisis in Darfur and will be complementary to the joint African Union and UN mission currently being deployed there.

Stronger cooperation with the African Union in strengthening its capabilities in peace and security will be a priority for Ireland in the context of our expanding development programme. This will build on substantial assistance which Ireland has already made available for AU peace support missions.

The challenges facing both our continents are great, and many must be confronted together. The Millennium Development Goals still provide a clear roadmap for the way forward but we need to re-capture a sense of common purpose between Africa and the European Union if we are to make some of the tough decisions that will set the stage for fundamental change.

We owe it, not just to future generations, but those who live in abject poverty and exclusion today, to reinvigorate this sense of solidarity and shared purpose.

ENDS