Press Release: Foreign Affairs (Development) Council – Brussels, 12 December 2013

Main results of the Council:

The Council decided that the conditions have been fulfilled for the complete resumption of the EU's development cooperation with the Republic of Guinea. The holding of inclusive and peaceful parliamentary elections on 28 September 2013 made it possible to lift the EU's appropriate measures adopted in 2009 under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement.

The Council also took stock of work in the international community towards an overarching post-2015 framework for poverty eradication and sustainable development that is to replace the Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015.

In addition, the Council debated policy coherence for development, reaffirming its political engagement and its existing commitments on policy coherence for development as well as recalling the Treaty obligation to take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies which are likely to affect developing countries.

The Council also adopted transitional management measures for the European Development Fund (EDF). Since the entry into force of the internal agreement establishing the 11th EDF is likely be delayed beyond 1 January 2014, the Council established a bridging facility to ensure the availability of funds for cooperation with ACP countries and overseas countries and territories between January 2014 and the entry into force of the internal agreement.

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on policy coherence for development http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-policy-coherence-for-development/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the annual report 2013 on the European Union’s development and external assistance policies and their implementation in 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-annual-report-2013-on-the-european-unions-development-and-external-assistance-policies-and-their-implementation-in-2012/

ESO: Background information: The EU resumes full cooperation with the Republic of Guinea http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-eu-resumes-full-cooperation-with-the-republic-of-guinea/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on report from the Commission on EU support for democratic governance, with a focus on the governance initiative http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-report-from-the-commission-on-eu-support-for-democratic-governance-with-a-focus-on-the-governance-initiative/

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