Time to clear confusion around the EU’s comprehensive approach
In the first of a series of blog articles about the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action, ECDPM’s Andrew Sherriff tries to clear the fog of confusion surrounding it. He highlights the critical questions the EU must address to clarify the direction and scope of the comprehensive approach before the European External Action Service  and the Commission will have finalised a joint communication, which is expected to be adopted by the European ministers at the end of May. Sherriff stresses the need to ensure the policy proposal is backed by a real commitment to change ensuring that the comprehensive approach can in future work to the benefit of people in fragile and conflict situations, as well as EU interests.

2013 a crucial year to renew EU foreign policy
The European External Action Service (EEAS) needs to take charge of strategic planning and be bolder in taking the initiative to achieve common EU external policies according to a new paper by The Finnish Institute of International Affairs. The paper calls on European players to use the upcoming review of the EEAS to increase coordination within, between and across EU institutions and policy areas to develop a policy that more than just the sum of national and EU foreign policies. It should build on national strengths, compensate for national weaknesses, and draw together inputs from the whole system. Another paper by FRIDE agrees, arguing that the added-value of EU foreign policy depends on what the Union stands for in global politics, and whether it is prepared to take action in a more pragmatic and effective fashion, adapting to a changing world.

From Aid for Trade to Aid for Business, Partnership and Profits
Looking back at last week’s OECD Policy Dialogue on Aid for Trade, where high-level speakers debated the future of this large aid initiative, ECDPM’s Bruce Byiers explains in a blog post that a change in thinking is taking place. The focus of Aid for Trade is widening, interest in working with the private sector and in helping developing country companies to enter into global value chains is rising. Though, questions remain regarding those potentially left out, and whether such a broad agenda is a good thing. Going forward, a good next step would be to open up AfT policy discussions to all those impacted by Aid for Trade interventions and not restrict them to trade experts, Byiers recommends in his article.

Cost-benefit analysis of Non-Tariff Measures in Agri‑Food Trade
The increasing use of non-tariff barriers to trade, such as strict product standards, border inspection procedures or labelling requirements, is impacting the trade in food and agriculture products. The cost-benefit framework outlined in the OECD’s latest Policy Coherence for Development briefing note contributes to a more comprehensive welfare analysis of non-tariff measures than that offered by looking at trade effects alone. It analyses the impacts of various proposed policy measures on different groups around the world. By helping to identify and avoid unintended effects on vulnerable groups, particularly in developing countries, the framework can serve policy makers to achieve greater policy coherence for development. 

Additional Articles in the Weekly Compass-Extended Version

• A series of posts on Duncan Green's From Poverty to Power blog debate the political implications of evidence-based approaches in development.
• Simon Maxwell sets out a 10 point agenda for how the EU can take forward the resilience agenda.
• The Institute for Security Studies published a five-year appraisal of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
• The Global Investment Trends Monitor shows that macroeconomic fragility and policy uncertainty for investors has led to an 18 per cent decline in global foreign direct investment inflows last year, to an estimated $1.3 trillion.
• Democratization leads to a reduction of agricultural taxation, an increase in agricultural subsidization, or both according to a World Bank study on the effect of political regime transitions on public policy. Another paper looks at how the liberalisation of food markets is progressing.
• The International Budget Partnership’s annual Open Budget Survey shows that governments serving half the world’s population shut citizens out of budget decisions that affect their lives.
• The European Investment Bank published a report on its spending in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific and the overseas territories.
• NGOs launched the campaign “Enough food for everyone IF” aimed at the June G8 meeting.
• The report of the African Union Commission-European Commission Joint Customs and Trade Facilitation Forum on "A Customs Strategy for the Continental Free Trade Area" was published. 

More recently uploaded resources are available in the Weekly Compass-Extended Version.