The process of legislative re-definition of EU commitments in the sector of cooperation in development continues. Last week the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at helping the developing countries to improve the income generated by their exports and reduce their economic dependence on agricultural products (in particular cotton, sugar, cocoa and coffee), too often subject to large price fluctuations on the international markets that penalise both the producers and the national coffers. The EU action plan envisages some particular areas of intervention: first, raising the awareness of the competent international organizations in the problem, while at the same time facilitating the integration of the developing countries in the appropriate policies and techniques; second, responding to falling prices through the establishment of local cooperatives; third, promoting national and especially foreign investments, improving access to funding and managing the risk linked to institutional instability and unfavourable socio-economic conditions; and fourth, supporting production diversification. The Commission also decided to adopt a strategy to support the cotton market in Africa; it announced the holding of an international seminar on cotton by June 2004.
