Transatlantic partnership for development took a step forward in Paris

Press release 150/2009
29 May, 2009

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen attended a lunch meeting addressing the question of transatlantic cooperation in development policy, organised in connection with the OECD ministerial meeting concentrating on development issues held in Paris. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Alonzo Fulgham, Acting Administrator of USAID, agency in charge of US development policy, and it was attended by the representatives of EU Member States and the Commission.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the focus of transatlantic cooperation will at first be on three themes: improving food security, for instance, by developing the agricultural production of developing countries; the links between climate change and development; and promotion of regional integration in Africa. The next meeting will be held in Brussels in mid-June. While European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel is on leave due to European Parliament elections, Finnish Commissioner Olli Rehn replaces him in his duties. The EU ministers for development and USAID are aiming to have the transatlantic development policy cooperation included on the agenda of the next EU-USA Summit.

Additional information: Director General Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Department for Development Policy, tel. +358 40 830 4868, Special Advisor to the Minister Ossi Martikainen, tel. +358 40 592 6769