The institutional architecture

2004/05 is of key importance to the institutional architecture of European development cooperation, seeing as it does the appointment of a new Commission and the resolution of the Financial Perspectives for 2007-13. 'Budgetisation' of the European Development Fund looks likely, incorporating what has hitherto been a separate development fund into the main EU budget; this would give the European Parliament a greater voice but could reduce the share of aid going to the poorest countries if funds are not ring-fenced. The eventual approval of a new constitution and the appointment of a European foreign minister will also have an impact on the institutional architecture.