European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Agreement amending the Cotonou Agreement) Order 2007

My Lords, I am not a full expert in this area, but I echo my noble friend’s welcomefor this agreement. I have always been rather uncomfortable with the concept of the ACP, which seems to reflect the colonial geography of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Does the Minister feel that the continuation of a major flow of aid and assistance through this structure distorts the way in which aid is distributed globally? Are more worthy developing states left out because of this historical relationship between European Union member states and their former colonial territories? I am concerned about the continuation of that. Perhaps states that are not within the ACP are less looked after by developed countries than other states that are better off. I am interested that the European Investment Bank is involved in this process—again, I apologise that I do not have in-depth knowledge in this area—butis that a relatively new involvement? The EIB’s particular expertise is in developed countries, particularly within member states and aspiring candidate member states. It is very good at infrastructural projects, in terms of large loans. In many ways, the expertise in development finance has moved across to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which is concentrated in the former Soviet bloc states and eastern Europe. Would it be more appropriate if this institution, with its specialist knowledge in development, played more of a role here than the EIB, which has a more developed economy role?