Check against delivery! 

Mr President, Honourable Members [of the European Parliament], 

News from the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are extremely distressing. Renewed fighting has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, and thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes.  

How is the European Union responding? 

First, by almost doubling its humanitarian assistance, which now amounts to nearly €80 million for the country, with a very strong focus on the Eastern provinces, and in particular on the large-scale food distribution and provision of primary health care services. 

Second, we have responded by dedicating part of our development cooperation to the Eastern part of the country in the areas of health, sustainable development and gender equality, among others. 

Third, we are responding by supporting the regional initiatives addressing the security crisis in the Congo and the Great Lakes Region, namely the mediation by the President of Angola, [João] Lourenço, and the Nairobi process, chaired by former Kenyan President, [Uhuru] Kenyatta. The European Union is examining how to further strengthen its support to these processes. 

However, this will not be enough, I am afraid. Unless the root causes of this recurring insecurity in the Eastern Congo are seriously addressed, the endless cycle of violence will never stop.  

Who is to address these root causes? First and foremost, it is the Congolese authorities with - of course - the support of regional and international partners, including ourselves. And these root causes include major governance challenges, the struggle for control over land and natural resources, corruption and impunity for human rights violations. 

The European Union will continue to stand by the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region to tackle these challenges and finally unleash the prosperity potential of this region. The Foreign Affairs Council of 14 November started a reflection on the right policy approach that we will be implementing together with the countries in the region and our international partners. 

Thank you.  

Link to the video (starting from 20:23) : https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-233456