The Annual International Cooperation Plan 2011, approved on March 4 by the cabinet ministers, not only contemplates the decrease of 1.031 million Euros regarding 2010, but on top of this, it reduces the weight both in absolute and relative terms in the overall Spanish Official Aid for Development, in social sectors such as education or health care. While these services, which are essential in moments of crisis such as the current, are reduced, others such as financial and banking expenses increase their weight from  4,23% to 7,60%.

The cut places the percentage for  2011  in the  0,40% of the Gross National Income, eleven percentage points under the  0,51% which was budgeted in 2010,thus breaking the commitment of achieving  0,7% by 2012. The Annual International Cooperation Plan 2011 is the first one to be submitted to Congress and Senate for its review before being approved. Both Chambers issued a number of resolutions which were approved by consensus of all political parties, including the Socialist party, which have not been fully contemplated or included in the plan finally approved. Such is the case of route that must be followed in order to ensure that the   0,7%  of the Gross national Income is effective in 2015, following the government´s commitment. Several of these demands had been previously supported by the Cooperation for Development Council.

The Spanish Development NGO Coordinator has shown its concern for the impact that these measures could have in the overall system of Spanish Aid and asks the government to convene its main actors in order to recover the growth route to 0,7%, while applying the main lines of action in cooperation that count with the consensus of political and social groups. Foreign Secretary Trinidad Jiménez, has an excellent opportunity on March 9, to announce and promote this initiative which we support 100% at Entreculturas.