Resolution on the proclamation of a European consensus on humanitarian aid

The European Parliament adopted a resolution with regard to the consensus reached by the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 19 and 20 November 2007 on the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.

It welcomed the fact that, for the first time the Council, the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission have agreed to define a common vision, policy objectives and shared principles for the delivery of more effective EU humanitarian aid in third countries.

It approved, therefore, the Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on European Union Humanitarian Aid - the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.

Parliament recalls that the draft Treaty of Lisbon recognises humanitarian aid as an EU policy area in its own right. It also recalls its position on the issue, as set out in its resolution on the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid dated 14 November 2007 (see Thierry CORNILLET’s (ALDE, FR) initiative report – INI/2007/2139).