I am aware of the difficulties created for the UNFPA – UN Population Fund – by the US decision to withdraw its funding. Our concerns and those of the other EU member states have been reflected in an EU démarche conveyed to the US authorities on this subject. Dialogue between the UN, the US and the Chinese Government in an effort to resolve the matter is continuing. Ourselves and our EU partners support this dialogue and the early resumption of US funding.
The US State Department is the interlocutor on this issue as the Secretary of State has the responsibility for deciding on the compatibility of US funding with the provisions of the relevant US legislation governing the allocation of development assistance in support of population and family planning related programmes.