Interview with MEP Barry Andrews I VOICE Out Loud #40

In an interview with VOICE, Barry Andrews, MEP and Chair of the European Parliament’s @Development Committee, calls on the EU to strengthen its commitment to fragile and conflict-affected regions.

He emphasized that the EU’s new approach to fragility must combine strong political will with adequate funding, particularly for local actors such as civil society and humanitarian organisations. Andrews also stressed the need to better connect humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding efforts through coordinated EU action.

According to Andrews, such moves as shifting funds toward short-term geopolitical or migration priorities, could undermine poverty reduction and increase instability. He also expressed caution about the EU’s Global Gateway, noting that large-scale investments may not suit fragile contexts without proper safeguards.

On rising displacement, he urged the EU to address root causes through inclusive development and resilience-building, rather than focusing on containment. He highlighted anticipatory action as a cost-effective way to prevent crises and called for greater investment in early warning systems.
Andrews further points to growing pressure on NGOs and shrinking civic space, urging better protection for humanitarian workers.
He concluded that the European Parliament has a key role in ensuring EU policies remain coherent and committed to supporting the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Read the interview in VOICE Out Loud here.