Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001005/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Udo Bullmann (S&D), Barry Andrews (Renew), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Isabella Lövin (Verts/ALE)
Euronews reports that the Directorate-General for International Partnerships is planning to cut more than 80 % of its hubs worldwide, closing 80 offices.
Such a change will impact the EU’s development cooperation, foreign policy and partnerships long-term, considering that the EU is a major donor globally. This plan would diminish the EU’s global role and leave a vacuum for China and Russia to fill, which is counterproductive to the aims of the Global Gateway initiative.
A reduced presence means diminished local connections and less knowledge and understanding of local contexts, priorities and opportunities. It erodes the trust of communities and partner countries. All these elements are vital for ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness and positive impact of both development work and trade as well as the promotion of business.
- 1.In what ways is the current set-up in EU delegations not fit to deliver on the Global Gateway?
- 2.What parameters were used to determine that the plan will increase efficiency, serve the objectives of the Global Gateway initiative, ensure delivery on the ultimate objective of EU development aid, to eradicate poverty, and what other options were considered?
- 3.How were the hubs selected and clustered to ensure that a centralised approach does not undermine the quality and efficiency of EU development aid in the partner countries covered by each hub?
Submitted: 7.3.2025