25/5/2007
Commission President to Bring “Voices of EU Development Aid” to Brussels

As part of the run-up to next month's G8 Summit in Germany, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will meet the President of Ghana and President of the African Union, John Kufuor, in Brussels, next week. He will also welcome representatives from several developing countries who will present their personal experience and involvement in EU financed projects that have a decisive impact in the lives of millions of people in developing countries.

Last week, Mr Barroso met Bono, lead singer of U2 and representative of the “Make Poverty History” campaign, to urge G8 participants to meet global development assistance targets. Mr Barroso considers that “it is equally important to bring to Brussels and to hear other voices that are anonymous, those that can best explain how the money from European taxpayers brings hope and support to the daily lives of millions of people around the globe”.

These include the voices of people benefiting from and implementing EU financed projects, as well as those of aid workers who devote their talents and lives to help people in need. These include young European students that have become “European development ambassadors” promoting twinnings between European and African municipalities.

On Thursday 24 May, all these “voices of EU Development Aid” will be in Brussels to meet the Commission President Barroso and President Kufuor. A photo opportunity will be organised at 14:50 on the 13th floor of the Berlaymont, followed by a “VIP corner” by the two Presidents at 15.00h.

Aid from Europe in 2006 reached 0.42 percent of gross national income, exceeding the 0.39 percent target for the year. EU assistance was roughly 48 billion euros, 57% percent of global aid and nearly 100 euro per European citizen per year.