The European Commission is launching today a public consultation on all aspects of EU external funding. The aim is to gather ideas and opinions on the future of the instruments at the disposal of the European Union to fulfil its worldwide responsibilities.

The European Union is an active player in the world, with interests and values to promote and responsibilities to match towards third countries. With the new institutional framework established by the Lisbon Treaty, there are raising expectations on EU´s capacities to respond to challenges worldwide. These challenges range from humanitarian disasters to global issues such as climate change, energy security, food security and financial stability.

In this context, the EU needs to be equipped to address the diverse situations of partner countries around the world, to respond to emerging political priorities and new crisis situations, and to ensure the performance and quality of its financial support to third countries.

Today´s consultation concerns the implementation of external policies through different instruments. Responses from interested citizens and stakeholders will be requested on a range of issues such as the added value of EU financial intervention in several areas, the options for new cooperation and delivery mechanisms with partner countries or the efficiency, impact and visibility of EU external assistance.

Today´s online public consultation, open to all interested stakeholders, is preparing the ground for the Commission legislative proposals to be presented in 2011 on the financial perspectives after 2013.

The online consultation on EU external funding after 2013 is accessible under the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/development/how/consultation/index.cfm?action=viewcons&id=5240&lng=en