LA GRANJA, SPAIN - USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah met with European Union (EU) Development Ministers during the EU Development Ministers Informal Meeting in La Granja, Spain from February 17-18. Topics discussed included the Transatlantic Development Dialogue and Haiti.

In working sessions and bilateral meetings, Dr. Shah reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to a transatlantic partnership on development and reiterated the importance of redoubling efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Specifically, Dr Shah highlighted the Administration's new $3.5 billion Food Security Initiative aimed at MDG 1 (poverty and hunger) as well as the just-announced $63 billion Global Health Initiative aimed at MDGs 4, 5, and 6 (child mortality, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS and other diseases). The Ministers also discussed the implications of climate change on reaching these global goals.

Dr. Shah shared USAID's plans to modernize its business processes and to promote innovative partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including foundations and the private sector.

USAID Administrator Shah Holds Bilateral Meetings Emphasizing Strategic and Technical Cooperation

Dr. Shah participated in bilateral meetings with: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Development Soraya Rodriguez Ramos, Swedish State Secretary for International Development Joakim Stymne, Finnish Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paavo Vayrynen, UK Minister of State for International Development Gareth Thomas, and EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

For images from the trip, please visit: http://gemini.info.usaid.gov/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1020