Agenda for change: the future of EU development policy

The Council discussed the future of EU development policy and adopted conclusions on "Increasing the impact of EU development policy: an Agenda for Change".

The rapidly changing global environment and the new international architecture require a more comprehensive, responsive and effective approach to external action and development policy. The Council set out a renewed EU approach to development policy whereby the EU is to focus in the future on those countries and sectors where it can have the greatest impact. These new principles will guide EU financial instruments for external action under the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, and in particular the new development cooperation instrument.