Brussels - The European Union's 27 member states in 2007 spent less money on development aid for the first time since 2000, the European Commission said on Friday.

According to the commission, payments were down to 46.1 billion euros (72.47 billion dollars) in 2007, compared with 47.7 billion euros the previous year.

Main reason for the drop in aid relief was an end to the rise of debt relief packages granted to several developing countries.

Commission President Jose Manual Barroso urged member states to increase their payments to the world's poorest countries.

The EU is the world's largest aid donor, with an average contribution of 93 euros per EU citizen.

Barroso warned the EU "could not afford" to reduce aid relief while at the same time attempting to reach the UN Millenium Development Goals.

The UN wants to reduce extreme poverty around the world by 50 per cent by 2005 and provide basic schooling for every child. (dpa)