EU aid to developing countries could be made dependent on their stance towards Russia and Iran, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday, advocating for a much more robust development policy.
Support for these two countries, whose ruling regimes are antagonistic towards Europe and the West, could lead to EU funding being withheld. Kallas argued for a “more strategic” distribution of foreign aid, given the geopolitical uncertainties that impact the Union and its allies.
“If a partner supports Russia or Iran, then it has to be flexible so that we can realign our engagement in this case,” she said. “It’s a very careful balance … not withdrawing it all, but also keeping in mind that Europe has interests.”
The remarks come as EU leadership is drawing up the future of the bloc’s €300 billion geopolitical investment strategy, Global Gateway, in the next seven-year EU budget.
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