The DANISH KINGDOM
Grants its support to LDCs

Mr Johnny FLENTOE, Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of DENMARK.

‘’ Development aid of the Kingdom of DENMARK focussed on LDCs’’

QUESTION : Mr the Charge d’Affaires your country the Kingdom of DENMARK brings in its financial assistance in the Organization of LDCs Ministerial Conference in COTONOU. What is underlying this assistance from the Danish Government ?

ANSWER : The Kingdom of Denmark agreed to give a favourable reply to the request of the Republic of BENIN inasmuch as this Conference is very likely to contribute in strengthening Cooperation between the Least Developed Countries and Cooperation with other various groups of countries. Moreover, this Conference offers the opportunity to LDCs to reflect on negotiations conditions within the framework of globalisation which represents an unavoidable reality.

From such viewpoint, we deem it relevant that BENIN in its capacity as Chairman of LDCs Coordination Bureau should organize the Ministerial Conference to take stock of the last decisions of LDCs Conference in Brussels, but also to start preparing the Sustainable Development Summit to be held in Johannesburg. The Ministerial Conference in Cotonou seems to be the last opportuniy available to LDCs to agree on the list of priorities to be tabled during the Sustainable Development Summit.

The Danish Government as far as it is concerned intends to support all efforts likely to contribute in integrating the Least Developped Countries in the world economy.

However I would still like to clarify that the contribution of the Kingdom of DENMARK is only financial ; we stepped in to assist BENIN facing financial constraints. The initiative of this Conference, whose concrete results are expected comes from BENIN.

We are waiting to see if these expectations are met.

QUESTION : The main theme if the Ministerial Conference in COTONOU is : ‘’LDCs Programme of Action and Poverty Alleviation’’. Could you Mr Charge d’Affaires, list the actions conducted by the Danish Government to assist in LDCs poverty alleviation ?

ANSWER : The assistance of the Kingdom of DENMARK is multiforms. We are currently assisting intensively in our capacity as Current Chairman of the European Union to promote debates on poverty eradication at international level. The common interest issues are : Trade development, videlicet, access to the market in industrialized countries aid development package increase, as well as a more dynamic approach to conflict prevention, wars and other forms of violence. As far as trade is concerned, the vision is very clear ; it proved necessary to open the European Market to LDCs commodities.

The other form of contribution made by the Kingdom of DENMARK consists in direct aid to development. DENMARK is the only country in the World to allocate the highest rate of its GDP (1o/o) to development aid.

Within this framework, we make a distinction between a group of fifteen countries where half of our aid is concentrated – through bilateral approach. While the other half of the Danish aid is earmarked for the various multilateral cooperation agencies.

We ambition to serve as an example and do hope that industrialized countries will also come round to earmark 0.7o/o of their GDP as set by the United Nations as development aid. You could note by the way that we go beyond the level set by the United Nations and our assistance is practically unconditioned. It must be acknowledged that the prevalent conditions in many of the developing countries hardly invite comparison with the situation in the industrialized countries. As a result, we cannot impose stringent conditions on the developing countries. Very often, it takes some time to reach necessary results, taking into account the fact that the developing countries lack resources as well as adequate capacities. However, we require that an effort be made, and the people and the leadership in these countries work in a steady and determined manner and that development follows in the footstep of good governance and full-pledged democracy.
It is Worth noting that Benin efforts are geared toward this end ; it is also the only country in Africa that has not experienced a violent crisis and as such it can share its experience with other LDCs.

QUESTION : Mr the Charge d’Affaires, could you tell us what in your opinion, can be envisaged within the framework of North South Cooperation toward poverty eradication rather than its alleviation when it is settled ?

ANSWER: DENMARK is making efforts as regard development aid. We will put pressure at the level of industrialized countries. At global level, it is necessary to transfer resources toward poor countries and opening markets. But one cannot very realistically expect the same effort from all countries.

Other countries are ready to follow even if they cannot immediately keep opace. However, we all agree on a certain rate of growth to be granted over the next years.

In area of trade, the European Union has just adopted the trading initiative of all commodities excepted weapons, which means that Europe is allowing, customs free and without quota access to European markets, of all produces likely to be exported by 48 or 49 LDCs with the exception of weapons and munitions. But there are still many things to be done at technical level to render most effective the negotiations. As an example, the idea of ‘’food security did not have the same content in LDCs as in Europe where it is much more a question of quality while LDCs still do not have the means to conduct the necessary control.

This may be a handicap to exports ; and it means that there is an enormous task to perform.

We do believe that the Ministerial Conference in Cotonou gives an opportunity for LDCs Ministers to determine priorities for intervention – Cotonou Ministerial Conference outcomes are awaited due to the fact that its success conditions that of Johannesburg Conference which will give a real assistance to the Least Developed Countries.

COTONOU Meeting shall be well followed-up.

It is an important Rendez-vous that would make sure that LDCs will not be more marginalized during Johannesburg Meeting.

Our Minister has been invited to this very important Conference, but, shall not be able to honour it due to his very busy schedule for the last quarter of the year 2002. As you know DENMARK is Chairing the European Union and has many commitments in its capacity as Chairman of the Council of General Matters of the European Union.