The Netherlands to end  development relationship Eritrea because of human rights repression (abuse, situation ettcc..)

http://www.netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000621EN

Development minister Bert Koenders has announced, in a letter to the House of Representatives, that the Netherlands will be ending its development relationship with seven countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Macedonia, and Sri Lanka. His letter of 3 April 2009 concerns the results of an evaluation into ending and reshaping aid relationships.

The letter stated that development aid is not provided indefinitely. Some countries no longer need it and now fall into the category of transition countries. Dutch development policy is aimed particularly at countries where the need for effective aid is greatest. Those who are no longer dependent on aid can enter into broad-based relationships, which are developed in close cooperation between minister for foreign trade Frank Heemskerk, Mr Koenders wrote.

The joint donor evaluation by Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands examined how development programmes had been ended in five countries, including Botswana, India and Malawi.

In his letter, the development minister emphasised the importance of a political dimension to the aid relationship. This enables the discussion of taboos like corruption, the position of women, refugees and abortion’, but he also noted that ‘the Netherlands, in allocating assistance, considers the partner country’s needs first.’ Development policy is aimed at the most effective possible expenditure, not the purchase of influence.

The evaluation describes exit strategies for the countries whose development relationship with the Netherlands will be ending in the next few years. A different approach is required in each country, Mr Koenders wrote. Thus the focus of the Dutch relationship with some of the former Eastern Bloc countries will shift gradually from development to the economic domain. In the case of Eritrea, however, the Netherlands decided unilaterally to end the relationship in the short term because of the human rights situation there. Finally, the transitional relationship with Cape Verde will lead to a new partnership with the European Union.

2. The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Netherlands to end development relationship with seven countries

04 Apr 2009 | Development minister Bert Koenders has announced, in a letter to the House of Representatives, that the Netherlands will be ending its development relationship with seven countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Macedonia, and Sri Lanka. His letter of 3 April 2009 concerns the results of an evaluation into ending and reshaping aid relationships.

The letter stated that development aid is not provided indefinitely. Some countries no longer need it and now fall into the category of transition countries. Dutch development policy is aimed particularly at countries where the need for effective aid is greatest. Those who are no longer dependent on aid can enter into broad-based relationships, which are developed in close cooperation between minister for foreign trade Frank Heemskerk, Mr Koenders wrote.

The joint donor evaluation by Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands examined how development programmes had been ended in five countries, including Botswana, India and Malawi.

In his letter, the development minister emphasised the importance of a political dimension to the aid relationship. This enables the discussion of taboos like corruption, the position of women, refugees and abortion’, but he also noted that ‘the Netherlands, in allocating assistance, considers the partner country’s needs first.’ Development policy is aimed at the most effective possible expenditure, not the purchase of influence.

The evaluation describes exit strategies for the countries whose development relationship with the Netherlands will be ending in the next few years. A different approach is required in each country, Mr Koenders wrote. Thus the focus of the Dutch relationship with some of the former Eastern Bloc countries will shift gradually from development to the economic domain. In the case of Eritrea, however, the Netherlands decided unilaterally to end the relationship in the short term because of the human rights situation there. Finally, the transitional relationship with Cape Verde will lead to a new partnership with the European Union.

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