The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council on Development convened today in Brussels under the leadership of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, who chaired her first Development Ministers’ meeting amid growing global uncertainty.
Speaking to the press ahead of the session, Kallas addressed the urgent issue of the United States’ withdrawal from development aid initiatives, acknowledging the significant gap left behind. “We cannot totally fill the void the U.S. is leaving, but we are focusing on our strategic priorities,” she said.
Top on the agenda were key EU commitments including human rights, democracy, media freedom, and development efforts in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood. Kallas emphasized that while the EU cannot replace American aid dollar for dollar, it is determined to reinforce its global role through targeted, value-driven investments.
The ministers also reviewed the outcomes of the recent EU–African Ministerial meeting, attended by 39 African and 15 European ministers, which Kallas described as “very successful.” She stressed the importance of building on this momentum ahead of the upcoming EU-Africa Summit, aiming for “concrete deliverables” that reflect mutual priorities.
Budgetary planning was also in focus, with the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) under scrutiny. Kallas called for reforms to ensure EU external action is “modernised and more cost-effective,” stressing the need to make limited funds stretch further in a complex geopolitical environment.
The council concluded with a sobering reflection on the intensifying war in Ukraine. Kallas condemned the “appalling” Russian airstrikes on Kyiv, calling them among the deadliest seen so far. “It is up to us to put pressure on Russia so it will also want peace,” she stated, urging continued international solidarity with Ukraine.
