The Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin held a meeting to discuss the quality of EU Aid. MEP Gay Mitchell gave some examples of the importance of the European Parliament as legislator in ensuring Europe's quality of international cooperation. He also emphasised the importance of international aid as an instrument for the EU, and demonstrated Irish leadership in this important area of EU policy. Koos Richelle, Director of EuropeAid gave an overview of the improvements realised in recent years under the Agenda of Aid Effectiveness. Mirjam van Reisen, Director of EEPA, gave examples of Irish involvement that had allowed important decisions for the EU's international cooperation programme, especially to ensure strong accountability and transparency. She warned that the European External Action Service, a diplomatic agency that will bring Member States' foreign policies closer together under one umbrella, should not be burdened by the implementation of development policy as this would complicate already ambitious goals that have been set in the Lisbon Treaty in the area of external policy. She urged that the Treaty was clear on the separation between development and humanitarian aid on the one hand, and the diplomatic service on the other. She urged that with the European Commission as implementing agency and the European Parliament's control accountability and transparency was best ensured.

Click here for the keynote speeches, presentation and video.
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