'Extreme concern' voiced at the Millennium Development Goals package
27 May 2005
Stop AIDS Alliance, a joint initiative between the Alliance and the Dutch Stop AIDS Now!, has expressed concern about the failure of the European Commission to include plans to confront the HIV/AIDS pandemic in their Millennium Development Goals package, launched on 12 April. The Millennium Development Goals package sets out guidelines for the European Union’s future action to confront the major development challenges facing the poorest countries of the world.
In a letter sent to the EU member state ministers and permanent representatives, the Alliance highlighted the integral link between HIV/AIDS and poverty reduction, and expressed concern that the European Commission is limiting its key commitments for action to three main areas: governance, trade, and progress towards social equity. There is wide agreement that HIV/AIDS is the major obstacle to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and the Commission’s focus on Africa therefore needs to be translated into strong and comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programmes.
Stop AIDS Alliance is calling for sustainable and coordinated support from the international community and their political and economic partners to assist Africans tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The European Union it argues is in a key position to ensure a coordinated response to halt the pandemic.
If we really want to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, says Stop AIDS Alliance, the European Union should formally regard HIV/AIDS as a cross-cutting issue, recognising that it concerns all aspects of policy-making. At the same time, specific HIV/AIDS work needs to be maintained. Stop AIDS Alliance is calling for the European Parliament and Council to translate this need into the EU policy coherence strategy.
