AidWatch Report Launch in Cyprus

On November 28, CYINDEP (Cyprus Island-Wide Development Platform), held a roundtable discussion in Nicosia, on the occasion of the publication of the 'AidWatch Report 2014'. This report aims to inform about the contribution of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to development countries by the Members of the European Union.

The keynote speakers of the event were Fotis Vlahos from the Greek Development Platform (PLATEAU), Demetra Hadjiyiannis, Liaison Officer of CYINDEP, and Cristiana Tzika, representative of the Department of Development Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and International Economic Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the two-hour discussion, the speakers had the opportunity to inform participants about the action of CYINDEP, the concept of sustainable development, the results of the AidWatch Report and the action of the MFA on the above issues. Mr. Vlachos highlighted that only four EU countries have managed to reach the expected 0.7% ODA, namely Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark and the UK, while official statistics foresee that most EU countries will fail to carry out this goal in 2015. Mrs. Tzika, from her part, spoke about the difficult economic situation of our country, this being the main reason why the country has failed to reach the required 0.7%, as well as the fact that unfortunately the MFA is prioritising other issues such as the Cypriot problem. She also noted that the official proclamation of 2015 as the European Year Development, will offer an opportunity for the MFA to promote the concept of sustainable development and European policy and action in this direction in the Cypriot public, as well as their aim to strengthen relations and cooperation with civil society and the Cypriot development NGOs.

Photo of the event: CYINDEP

Information provided by Demetra Hadjiyiannis Liaison Officer for CYINDEP