Fences on Europe's borders will not stem the flow of migrants says Watson

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Oct 2005

Graham Watson, leader of the European Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament Commented on the European Commission's new Strategy for Africa, presented today to the European Parliament by development commissioner Louis Michel:

"I salute the steps taken by the Commission in finding creative solutions for the financing of aid and debt reduction for developing countries. The European Union's development policy brings an added value to Member States' policies. This proposal, which calls for the creation of a strong partnership with Africa, gives visibility to Europe's interest and concern".

"In light of the pressing problems of immigration at Europe's southern borders, as evidenced this week in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, it is clear that fences alone will not halt the movement of migrants in search of a better living. If Europe cannot demonstrate itself committed to the economic and social development of Africa, poor Africans will continue to risk their lives attempting to enter Europe."

Graham Watson welcomed the Union's recent commitment made to raise public development assistance from 0.56% of Member States GDP (until 2006) to 0.7% GDP in 2015. From 2010 onwards, Europe would be donating 20 billion euros more than today, of which 50% of aid would be donated to Africa. "Liberals and Democrats insist that these funds be well monitored", stressed the ALDE leader.

"Money must be well spent in accordance with transparency and good governance standards set by the EU", he added. But he warned that large scale development assistance is often inappropriate. "Micro-credits, especially to women's enterprises, is often the best way forward" Mr Watson said.