In an interview German minister for development cooperation Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul argues that Germany is in a position to increase its share of public development aid to GDP from 0,28 percent to 0,33 percent by 2006.
The minister suggests that Germany should adopt a gradual approach to increasing the country’s aid to GDP ratio. By 2010, Germany should be able to announce an official ratio of 0,5 percent, she says.
– Then, we should aim for 0,7 percent (goal), which is the level the international community requested in 1970, albeit without giving a time frame, she argued.
Wieczorek-Zeul also explains that while her gradual plan is, so far, only an idea of her own ministry, she is certain that German foreign minister Joschka Fischer would support her demands.
– According to the expert report on UN reform, new members of the Security Council will have to provide 0,7 percent of their GDP to development assistance – or come very close to that figure. The German government cannot aim for one without achieving the other. I know the Chancellor is of the same opinion said she.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
