Ahead of the EU-Africa Summit, students grill MEP Patrice Tirolien on the EU's power to act as one in conflict situations and on Council moves to reduce development funding.

Can EU aid efforts still be hailed a global force of stability?

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11780011/n004-0005-enx.srt

The European Union is the leading  world donor of humanitarian aid.

Some of this aid is concentrated  on ACP countries,

an acronym for Africa, the Caribbean  and Pacific.

With the EU-Africa summit taking place  in Brussels from 31 march to 1 April,

some students wished to ask an MEP  some questions

Good morning Mr Tirolien,  you're a member of the delegation

and member of the European Parliament's  Development committee.

I propose we start  with the students' questions.

To start with, a question tabled  by Nafissatou, a law student. Let's listen.

It's often said that the EU's position  in the world

represents a certain degree of stability,  thanks in particular to its development aid.

but in November, during the drafting  of the multiannual budget,

the Council tried to reduce  the European Development Fund.

Do you think, like your EP colleagues,  that we should at least keep it as it is?

It's true that there were proposals  made which weren't good:

proposals to decrease the EDF - the main  tool - the European Development Fund.

Proposals to indeed reduce  the level of this funding.

and I think François Hollande  also intervened himself

to ensure that the EDF's budget  was restored.

I think there was even an increase,  0.2%, to the EDF

which I think will mean that aid  for developing countries, for ACP countries,

has been programmed to cover 7 years  instead of 6 years.

And of course, the annual amount  for this aid has also slightly increased.

So this time it's a student,  Diallo Lamine,

who has a question on the external policy  of the EU.

I am always hearing  that the EU should act together.

However, when it comes to reacting  during conflicts, such as in Mali or Syria,

and very rarely intervenes together.  Why?

It's true. It's because Europe  is not yet a federal Europe.

But we can nonetheless make a number  of strong decisions quickly.

External policy remains the prerogative  of the Member States.

Exactly, so when Europe was made up of 9  States, and even 12,

it could intervene very quickly,  in particular in Africa.

But unfortunately Europe's centre of gravity  has moved towards the East.

This time it's Marie-Madeleine, a political  sciences student at Louvain-la-Neuve

What in your opinion is the EU's  current position in African development?

Europe's has a very strong position,  very strong indeed.

It's true that it is currently being  somewhat challenged for political reasons

by other emerging powers,  such as China.

But I think that EU aid  to African countries is exemplary.

and will allow African countries -  if they respect certain commitments -

which were signed  under the Cotonou Agreement

to take over ownership  of their own development.

And is it not sometimes seen on the African  side as being a bit interfering?

While the aid from some countries  such as China, forgive me for saying so,

I build a hospital for you, but then in return  I exploit mine for diamonds.

I take over your land and then I produce  goods to export to those countries.

So, I think that EU aid, and this  is fundamental, is an pedagogical aid

and could really train these countries  to truly become global players -

led by states which can negotiate  with their partners on an equal footing.

We'll finish there.  Mr Tirolien, thank you for your welcome.