The ECR Group welcomes the rejection of the highly political own-initiative report presented by liberal MEP Charles Goerens ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville.

ECR shadow rapporteur Waldemar Tomaszewski criticised the report for its calls for greater EU control over financial flows and its vague references to concepts such as ‘gender budgeting’ and ‘global tax governance’. He also criticised the report for attempting to sideline the role of national governments in shaping development priorities.

“This report might appeal to certain NGOs, but it fails to address the real challenges of international development”, said Mr Tomaszewski.

“Throwing more money at multilateral frameworks will not guarantee better outcomes. We’ve seen their limitations time and again.

“National governments must remain central to both the formulation and financing of development policy. Taxation is a core national competence and must remain so.

“We need a pragmatic, outcome-oriented approach to development that is efficient, transparent and free from ideological agendas. Otherwise, we risk losing global influence to actors like China and Russia.”

For the ECR Group, development cooperation must be based on mutual respect and practical results. The EU should not attempt to export its own social models, particularly in culturally sensitive areas such as taxation and gender policy. Development policy must deliver measurable results, not serve as a vehicle for political experimentation.