Developing countries that support Russia or Iran could lose EU aid, and European companies could benefit from preferential treatment in future tenders, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said on Monday.
Speaking before a meeting of EU development ministers in Brussels, Kallas said the bloc needed to take a “more strategic” approach to how it funds foreign aid, at a time of geopolitical rivalry and conflicts. increased conflicts.
“If a partner supports Russia or Iran, it must show flexibility so that we can readjust our commitment in this case,” she said.
Kallas did not specify how exactly this new flexibility would be incorporated into the policy.
“It’s a very delicate balance… it’s not about taking everything away, but also about keeping in mind that Europe has interests,” she said.
“If we have plans to support countries, and in reality it benefits our competitors, then we also need to look at how we can address that. HAS”
The remarks come as EU leaders are mapping out the future of the bloc’s 300 billion euro geopolitical investment strategy, Global Gateway, as part of the EU’s next seven-year budget. Controversy has erupted over an EU-backed project in Senegal, worth more than €320 million, which appears set to be awarded to a Chinese government-linked company already found guilty of breaking the bloc’s subsidy rules foreigners.
Jozef SÃkela, European Commissioner for Development, said that European preference should be integrated into future EU development aid. “In a world where investments, infrastructure and supply chains have become instruments of power, foreign policy cannot afford to be sentimental,” he said Monday.
MEPs have warned against tying EU aid to EU businesses, putting European competitiveness ahead of eradicating poverty.
Maxime Prévot, Belgium’s foreign minister, warned that the EU must not withdraw aid to developing countries at a time when the United States is reducing aid.
“Europe must not leave a void […] in which case others will take over with an even more transactional approach,” he stressed.
(bw)
