"It is essential that we protect the democratic prerogatives of the European Parliament as foreseen by the Lisbon Treaty. As co-legislator, we must be able to control, on an equal footing with the Council, the adoption and the execution of strategic decisions on the spending of development aid", Gay Mitchell MEP said after the Development Committee unanimously agreed to amend financing instruments for Development Cooperation.

The amendments agreed by the Development Committee yesterday relate specifically to how financial aid assists in the promotion of democracy and human rights. Mr Mitchell is the Joint Coordinator of the Development Committee for the EPP Group and the Parliament's Rapporteur for the Development Cooperation Instrument. The new procedure ensures legislators keep control over strategic decisions concerning funding allocations and sectoral priorities.

"I believe this is in the interest of the intended beneficiaries of our financing instruments. Parliament could play a much more forceful role as a watchdog to insist money is spent on core objectives defined in the Treaty for the Union's development cooperation."

"22,000 children die every day as a result of living in poverty - the equivalent of one child dying every four seconds. While some progress has been made, we as Members of the European Parliament must continue our fight to end poverty", concluded Mr Mitchell.

For further information:
Gay MITCHELL MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845228
Cliona Connolly, EPP Group Press & Communications Service, Tel: +32-475-957874

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.