'Anti-European' Geldof criticised

Glenys Kinnock said Europe was the biggest donor of aid to Africa

Bob Geldof, the organiser of Live 8, has been accused of being "ridiculously anti-European" by Welsh MEP Glenys Kinnock.

Mrs Kinnock told BBC Wales the singer refused to acknowledge the European Union's commitment to aid for Africa, and its efforts to develop fair trade.

But she said it was a friendly spat and praised Geldof's efforts in putting pressure on the G8 leaders.

She called Live 8 wonderful and hoped G8 leaders were listening.

But she said she was worried the contribution of the EU was being overlooked by Geldof.

Sir Bob Geldof is in Edinburgh during the G8 conference

"He is ridiculously anti-European, I mean that's what aggravates me," she said.

"He doesn't understand the need for the European Union and what the European Union do."

Mrs Kinnock said a major recent breakthrough was "the agreement of 25 member states of the European Union when they decided they would put in the amounts needed to meet the UN targets".

"But he will never acknowledge that, and for me that is quite incredible.

"Europe is the biggest donor of humanitarian aid, and the biggest trading block in the world - he should take that into account.

"He constantly rubbishes what people try to do in the European Union.

"There is a worrying lack of attention to the role the European Union of 25 countries have in making real progress on the issues."

We know what needs to be done, but do we have the political will to make the changes that need to take place? Glenys Kinnock

The politician also said she saw the position of the US as "a difficult one".

"[Bush] does have a problem, you have to understand - the Republican Congress he is having to deal with is very resistant to these issues.

"The commitment we have as Europeans is naturally, for historical reason, much stronger and much more focused."

However, she said that too much should not be expected from the G8 conference.

"I don't think we should anticipate that everything that is needed will be one of the results from G8 - it is an ongoing process.

"We know what needs to be done, but do we have the political will to make the changes that need to take place?"