Minister of International Development Anne Kristin Sydnes says development cooperation policy must support developing countries’ own efforts to combat poverty

"Development cooperation policy must support developing countries’ own efforts to combat poverty. This is why we are increasing, not reducing, our development assistance. This is why we are opening, not closing, our borders to products from the poorest developing countries. This is why we are making development cooperation policy into an even better weapon in the fight against poverty," said Minister of International Development Sydnes during a debate on development cooperation policy in the Storting today. She said how pleased she was that the Storting is supporting the Government’s decision to grant duty-free and quota-free access for products from the least developed countries, but pointed out that greater market access must be matched by more development assistance.

Ms. Sydnes emphasized that the Government wishes to maintain a high level of development assistance. The Government is following up last autumn’s budget compromise by considering whether part of the Petroleum Fund can be used for a development fund to support efforts in least developed countries.

"Greater effectiveness is being demanded of the many players involved in development cooperation, including NGOs. We want to take advantage of their engagement and their skills and will be cooperating closely with them. But we must make sure that their work makes the best possible contribution to our overall effort," said the Minister.

Ms. Sydnes admitted that for many years Norway has taken too much on its plate as regards development cooperation: "We will be carrying out a comprehensive review of the basis for our cooperation with a number of countries. We can’t be everywhere all the time." After the debate Ms. Sydnes expressed how pleased she was that the Storting is supporting the Government’s proposal to concentrate Norwegian efforts on a smaller number of countries.