Bhutan Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 - the European External ...

7. The Joint Statement on EU Development Policy (‘The European Consensus’)
In its meeting on 22 November 2005, the General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted
the EU Development Policy Statement, also known as “the European Consensus”. The
“European Consensus on Development” provides, for the first time, a common vision that guides
the action of the EU, both at its Member States and Community levels, in development
cooperation. The Statement identifies the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable
development, including pursuit of the MDGs, as the primary and overarching objective of EU
development cooperation. The Statement also emphasises that EU partnership and dialogue with
third countries will promote common values of respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms,
peace, democracy, good governance, gender equality, the rule of law, solidarity and justice and the
EU’s commitment to effective multilateralism.
8. The 2005 UN Summit Conclusions on Human and Social Development
The importance of strengthening the social dimension of globalisation and of promoting
productive employment and decent work opportunities was highlighted in §47 of the UN Summit
conclusions of September 2005 regarding human and social development. UN member states
committed themselves in particular to “strongly support fair globalisation and resolve to make the goals of
full and productive employment and decent work for all, including for women and young people, a central objective of
our national and international policies as well as our national development strategies, including poverty reduction
strategies, as part of our efforts to achieve the MDGs.”
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