In preparation for the Summit of the G8 in Scotland in early July, which has at the top of its agenda the cancellation of the debt of the poorest countries and the definition of new and more effective measures to help the developing countries to combat poverty, the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso has made a 4-day visit to Africa (South Africa, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo). In a communiqué, Barroso has reported on the action he has undertaken aimed at “convincing” the main international funding organizations to “invest more in Africa”, especially in the sectors of education, culture, trade and security. The Commission’s initiative is reinforced by the decision recently taken by the EU to increase EU aid for development from the current 46 billion Euros to 66 million by 2010. Barroso also recalled the forthcoming events that will provide further opportunities to carry forward the European strategy for development: “the G8 in July, the UN Summit in New York in September to evaluate the Millennium Objectives and the next conference of the World Trade Organization”. For further information, consult the website http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/development/index_en.htm
