Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - An initiative which seeks to help shape and influence the European Union's (EU) perspective and policies on development issues has been launched in Stockholm, Sweden. The initiative is a manifestation of the EU's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.

A statement issued by the European Union head office in Brussels on Thursday said Europe was a global partner not only in aid but also as a trade partner and a political actor on the international scene. The initiative dubbed: "The European Report on Development" also sought to strengthen European input into the international debate on development.

Mr Francoise Moreau, Head of a unit called "Forward looking studies and policy coherence" at the European Commission, said many sub-Saharan African countries were in a situation which could be best described as fragile. These countries lacked the capacity or the legitimacy to govern effectively which result in serious developmental consequences. He mentioned conflict, poor governance and weak institutions as some of the root causes of such fragility in those countries. The ERD will largely address issues related to fragile states, Mr Moreau said, pointing out that there could be "no one size fit all" approach to development challenges.

Describing fragile states as the toughest development challenge, he said there was the need to put together a set of coherent tools and policies to help Africa overcome its fragility.

Ms Giorgia Giovanetti, ERD Lead author, suggested the need for Europe to re-assess its role and work together to tackle some of the biggest challenges that hindered the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

She said the report will be more of a framework to think rather than a policy prescription.