Brussels, 20/05/09: On 18 June, the European Court of Auditors published its report on the European Commission’s management of non-state actors’ (NSA) involvement in EC development cooperation. The report examines the EC’s performance regarding the involvement of NSAs in policy dialogue and as implementers of development projects. The report concludes that the EC’s management and procedures need to be improved and includes a series of recommendations aimed at increasing the effective involvement of NSAs.

• Click here to read the report
• Click here to read an information note about the report
• Click here to read a related article in the European Voice newspaper: "EU systematically neglects NGOs"

Brussels, 18/05/09: DevWire.eu is a unique website set up to help journalists covering EU development cooperation. The site is a comprehensive one-stop shop presenting relevant, up-to-date and reliable news from a variety of sources, such as the European Institutions, NGOs, think tanks and media.

DevWire.eu is tailored to the needs of the media and aims to serve as a provider of story ideas and background information. To enhance accessibility and clarity the site is news- and events-oriented with a clear focus on topics of high media relevance. Featured official documents, press releases and articles are chosen based on their newsworthiness. A North-South balance will expose reporters from industrialised countries to southern ideas and give journalists from developing countries easy access to EU policy documents.

• Click here to visit DevWire.eu
• Click here to read a press release about DevWire.eu

Brussels, 27/04/09: The current Czech EU presidency has sharply criticised the European Commission for insisting Israel advance peace negotiations before upgrading EU-Israel relations. Last Thursday (23 April), foreign relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said progress on the upgrade will remain frozen until Israel takes steps to repair the peace process with Palestinians.

Click here to read an article from the EUobserver

Brussels, 16/04/09: Today, Human Rights Watch released its long awaited report on Eritrea. The report documents the Eritrean government's responsibility for serious human rights violations including arbitrary arrests and detentions, toture, forced labour, as well as rigid restrictions on freedom of movement and expression. It also analyses abuses related to the practise of indefinite conscription into national and military service, religious persecution and the risks facing refugees even after they flee.

Human Rights Watch calls on the European Union and the United States to coordinate with the UN and the African Union to resolve regional tensions and ensure that development aid to Eritrea is linked to progress on human rights.

Click here to read the report

Brussels, 08/04/09: Today the European Commission (EC) presented its so-called April communication package. The package  comes less than a week after the London Summit and outlines a range of actions which the EU will take to help developing countries weather the ongoing economic crisis. The EC Communication "Supporting developing countries in coping with the crisis" is accompanied by four Commission staff working documents as well as a "Citizens´ summary". Join the on-line debates at the EC Forum.

• Click here to read the Communication "Supporting developing countries in coping with the crisis
• Click here to read "Financing for Development - Where does the EU go from Doha?"
• Click here to read "2009 Aid for Trade Monitoring Report"
• Click here to read "Aid Effectiveness after Accra – Where does the EU stand?"
• Click here to read "Millennium Development Goals – Impact of the financial crisis on developing countries" or the Citizen's summary
• Click here to read the Citizens' summary