Michel plots African good governance

The European Commission is to publish a plan at the end of the month that will propose setting targets for good governance in Africa.

The plan will also set out a definition of governance that will involve not only fighting corruption but also delivering basic services to citizens, such as clean water, education, fair administration, a working justice system and decentralisation.

The targets will be based on governance programmes devised by African states and will stress African "ownership" of the plan, a Commission spokesman said.

The next European Development Fund, totalling 22 billion euro, includes bonuses to be paid to states that achieve their targets on governance.

Governance is also an important element of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) which are currently being negotiated with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

A focus on global trade liberalisation talks at the World Trade Organization has delayed negotiations on the EPAs but work on finalising them will begin soon.

Non-governmental organisations have opposed the EPAs saying they will result in free trade agreements that will not benefit developing countries. But Development Commissioner Louis Michel has insisted they will herald further progress for poorer countries by developing their own markets and providing greater access to EU markets. "The EPA is not a traditional liberalisation agreement...it wants to put trade at the service of development by bringing 'aid for trade' together with progressive market opening, at a gradual and appropriate pace," Michel said.

The European Commission is to publish a plan at the end of the month that will propose setting targets for good governance in Africa.