The Treaty on European Union provides in Articles 177 to 181 for Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation, which shall be complementary to the policies pursued by the Member States.
Community policy is carried out by the Commission through the auspices of the Directorate General for Development and the EuropeAid Cooperation Office whose purpose is to implement the external aid instruments which are funded by the Community budget and the European Development Fund under the Cotonou Agreement.
The Council of the European Union deals with development cooperation issues at meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council and in its subsidiary Working Parties.
The Development Committee of the European Parliament has a role in monitoring Community development policy and as a participant in legislative co-decision procedures.
The principal task of the European Investment Bank [EIB] is to contribute to the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the Member States. Outside the EU, the EIB implements the financial components of agreements concluded under Community development assistance and cooperation policies.
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