Coherence

European Policies that affect development objectives negatively should be avoided. This is what Fair Politics is all about. This concept is commonly known as Policy Coherence for Development.

Policy Coherence for Development - A Definition

The OECD defines the concept of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) as follows: ‘Policy Coherence for Development means working to ensure that the objectives and results of a government’s development policies are not undermined by other policies of that same government which impact on developing countries, and that these other policies support development objectives where feasible’.

"The EU seeks to build synergies between policies other than development cooperation that have a strong impact on developing countries, for the benefit of overseas development ("policy coherence for development”). Making development policy in isolation will not bring sufficient results."[1] This is stated on the website of DG Development, and shows the commitment - on paper - of the European Commission to Policy Coherence for Development.

The political framework

The EU has committed itself to enhancing PCD in the European consensus on Development. On 20 December 2005 the Presidents of the Commission, Parliament and the Council signed this statement on EU development policy, the "European consensus", which, for the first time in fifty years of cooperation, defines the framework of common principles within which the EU and its Member States should each implement their development policies in a spirit of complementarity.

In the consensus it is stated that: "The EU is fully committed to taking action to advance Policy Coherence for Development in a number of areas. It is important that non-development policies assist developing countries' efforts in achieving the MDGs. The EU shall take account of the objectives of development cooperation in all policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries. To make this commitment a reality, the EU will strengthen policy coherence for development procedures, instruments and mechanisms at all levels, and secure adequate resources and share best practice to further these aims. This constitutes a substantial additional EU contribution to the achievement of the MDGs."[2]

The legal framework in the Treaty of Lisbon

The EU commitment towards policy coherence is not only a political commitment. It also has a strong legal basis in the Lisbon Treaty, in article 21 it is stated that: “The Union shall ensure consistency between the different areas of its external action and between these and its other policies. The Council and the Commission, assisted by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shall ensure that consistency and shall cooperate to that effect.”

Moreover in Lisbon article 208 on the functioning of the European Union, it is stated that: "The Union development cooperation policy shall have as its primary objective the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty. The Union shall take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries.”

Recent Developments around PCD

The European Commission since 2007, reports biannually on the progress made towards enhancing policy coherence for development. The second biannual report was published last september 2009. Currently the European Parliament is writing an own initiative report in reaction to the Commission's report and the communication, which proposed 5 priority areas for PCD; food security, migration, security and development, trade and finance and climate change. For more information on all the recent developments please see the item "Poilicy Coherence in the Spotlight" on the homepage.

 

 

Notes

1 European Commission, DG Development: http://ec.europa.eu/development/policies/policy_coherence_en.cfm

2 European Consensus on Development. Page 6

http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/european_consensus_2005_en.pdf