EU seven year development aid instrument finally agreed – but tarnished by EU migration politics

In many aspects, CONCORD welcomes Member States’ endorsement of the political agreement reached with the European Parliament on the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) on 18 December 2020.

The international development aid in this instrument is an essential tool to support EU partner countries and communities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), so we welcome in particular the inclusion of a strong and legally binding Official Development Assistance (ODA) target of 93%. 

However, the outcome is in parts shameful. The Member States agreed on deep cuts to the budgetary envelope in July. These cuts send an alarming signal about European solidarity with the rest of the world. Further, the EU Member States’ demand that partner countries’ cooperation with EU migration politics be a condition for funding has been partially accepted.