Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela presented his vision to scale up Global Gateway at his first Informal Meeting of Ministers of Development hosted by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council in Warsaw.
Through Global Gateway Strategy, the EU, its Member States, and European Development Finance Institutions, in a Team Europe approach, support sustainable investments and development in partner countries. Commissioner Síkela underscored the role of Team Europe and Team Nationals in this effort to drive impactful, large-scale investment projects supporting the economic development of EU´s partners and opening new opportunities for European companies.
The Commissioner also explained that EU’s international cooperation and Global Gateway will adapt to the different contexts and countries. He presented the case of the comprehensive partnerships with Mauritania, with actions ranging from humanitarian, resilience and security to investments that contribute to resilience and economic growth. EU Ministers agreed that more than ever, countries around the world are looking for reliable and stable partners; and the EU has much to offer.
Ministers also shared the view that public financing alone is insufficient to meet the development finance needs, and emphasised the need to mobilise EU’s private sector and develop innovative financing solutions in the run up to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville this June, where the EU aims to position itself as a global leader in sustainable financing. He also pointed to the European Investment Bank (EIB) as a crucial partner in financing development welcoming the presence of its president Nadia Calviňo at the council.
“The world needs more Europe - not just in words, but in action. We are the world’s largest provider of official development assistance, yet we must do more to translate this into mutually beneficial partnerships" said Commissioner Síkela. "The Global Gateway Strategy is our answer: a sustainable investment-driven approach that strengthens resilience, fosters economic growth, and delivers tangible benefits for both our partners and European businesses."
As Europe navigates an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape, Commissioner Síkela stressed the urgency of strengthening Europe’s international partnerships and ensuring Global Gateway Strategy becomes a central pillar of EU external policy.
Source : European Commission