This report uncovers some of the policy incoherencies between EU policies and development objectives.
As stipulated in the Lisbon Treaty, the EU is committed to eradicate poverty in developing countries. Safeguarding the EU’s own prosperity does not oppose the goal of improving the living standards of poor people in developing countries. In fact, the reality of today’s interconnected world is that the first cannot be achieved without the latter.
With Article 208 of the Lisbon Treaty, Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) became a treaty obligation. The article implies that all EU policies must be in support of developing countries' development needs, or at least not contradict the aim of poverty eradication.
The principle of PCD presents a different approach which introduces broader and longer term objectives into policymaking. Together with development policy and effective aid, PCD is a significant and complementary instrument that can have a significant impact on sustainable development, poverty eradication and respect for Human Rights.