Press Release: Towards a European Consensus for Development: the European Commission approves a proposal for an ambitious development policy

The European Commission on 13 July 2005 adopted a proposal defining the new development policy of the European Union. The policy was to aim at reducing poverty in line with the Millennium Development Goals. The Communication was a proposal for a joint statement by the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission. This 'European Consensus' would provide, for the first time in 50 years of development co-operation, a common framework of objectives, values and principles that the Union - all 25 Member States and the Commission - would support and promote as a global player and as a global partner.