Spindelegger: "Development cooperation must be a nationwide endeavour"
Foreign Minister attends expert conference between the Federal Government and the Federal Provinces on development cooperation
"In these dire economic times, international solidarity is needed more than ever. The food crisis and climate change have already hit the developing countries the hardest. The global financial and economic crisis has further worsened the situation. Now in particular I therefore wish to send out a signal and make clear that Austria will continue to be a reliable partner in development cooperation", said Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger at an expert conference between the Federal Government and the Federal Provinces on development cooperation, which was attended by State Secretary Reinhold Lopatka, the EZA directors responsible for development cooperation in the Austrian Federal Provinces, the European Commission, and the Austrian Development Bank. The aim of the conference is to facilitate information exchange and the debate on development policy topics.
"Development cooperation must be a nationwide endeavour in Austria, with all players - the Federal Government, the Federal Provinces, communities, and Non-governmental organizations – pulling in the same direction. This is the only way we can ensure effective and sustainable development cooperation", said the Foreign Minister. Especially the latest project - the nationwide information exhibition on the Austrian Development Cooperation - is an excellent example of how successful cooperation between the Federal Government and the Federal Provinces in the field of development cooperation can be. There is also a need to strengthen cooperation between all Ministries involved: "Coherence is essential. Only if we achieve the best possible adjustment of the various policy areas to the objectives of development cooperation will we be able to efficiently apply the means available and thus provide concrete assistance", said Spindelegger.
The Foreign Minister concluded: "I also attach great importance to the dialogue with non-governmental organizations. Their strong personal commitment deserves our full appreciation. My meeting with representatives of the umbrella organizations last week was the cornerstone for a continued cooperation."
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