Nirj Deva, coordinator of the European Parliament’s International Development Committee and Conservative member for South-East England, was invited on Jan. 12 toa major debate on the tsunami disaster in the European Parliament, said a press release.

Speaking to a packed audience, Deva, who has recently been appointed Rapporteur for the European Union’s International Development Budget, said, “it is crucial that, instead of making empty promises, the international community delivers the aid that it has promised.” He also said that it would a priority for him to ensure that an early warning system is installed as soon as possible.

(Compiled from news dispatches by Bhavna Kaul)