CONCERN SUBMISSION:THE LISBON Treaty creates for the first time a legal base for EU humanitarian aid, Concern has noted in its submission to the Forum on Europe.
It also for the first time clearly states that the reduction and eradication of poverty is the main objective of the EU's development co-operation policy, the development agency added.
Concern's official position is not to advocate a Yes or No vote in the referendum. In its contribution to the forum's public consultation on the treaty, it outlined the impact its provisions will have on overseas development. "The objectives of the policy are clear and the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and non-discrimination are prominent." Concern added that the treaty's explicit description of the eradication of poverty as a primary objective was "significant" and confirmed that "development policy is a policy in its own right with its own objectives independent of other external policies of the Union".
On the institutional changes that will come into effect if the treaty is ratified, Concern stated: "It is essential that these changes strengthen Europe's ability to deliver on its international commitments, to play its part in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and to work in partnership with developing countries to eradicate poverty."
The treaty confirms the principle that all EU policies having an impact on developing countries must be coherent with the Union's development policies and their implementation, said Concern.
"This coherence clause is of greatest importance as it should help address issues of incoherence between development and other areas such as agriculture or fisheries where policies may run counter to development objectives."