EU may review aid to countries that support Russia and Iran
Photo: Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
EU Commissioner for Development Jozef Síkela said that the European Union’s foreign policy cannot be "sentimental" and must take into account the EU’s strategic interests amid global competition, Euractiv informs.
EU tightens approach to foreign aid
The European Union is considering revising its approach to distributing international assistance, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of a meeting of development ministers in Brussels.
According to her, countries that support Russia or Iran may face the risk of reduced EU aid or having it redirected.
She also stressed the need for a more "flexible and strategic" approach to funding amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
Kallas noted that any changes must strike a balance between EU interests and support for partners, although no specific mechanisms have been defined yet.
Strategic review of EU policy
The EU is also discussing the future of the investment programme Global Gateway, with its volume estimated at around €300 billion.
Within the initiative, disputes are intensifying over certain projects, including infrastructure funding in Senegal, where a potential contractor could be a company linked to China.
Position of the European Commission and member states
EU Commissioner for Development Josef Síkela said that European priorities must be taken into account in future aid.
According to him, in a context where investment and infrastructure are becoming tools of influence, foreign policy cannot remain emotional.
At the same time, some members of the European Parliament warn against excessively tying aid to European companies, pointing to the risk of shifting the focus from poverty reduction to competitiveness issues.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot also called for not cutting support to developing countries, especially amid declining US aid, warning that the space left behind could be filled by other actors offering stricter conditions.
Discussions are ongoing within the European Union about possible candidates for a negotiator with Russia, but no single agreed-upon option has yet been reached. Among the potential mediators considered are former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
In addition, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet next week with representatives of Europe’s largest defence companies to discuss expanding investment and increasing production capacity.
