This study examines the evolving relationship between principles and interests in European Union (EU) development and cooperation policies. Against the backdrop of global fragmentation and heightened geopolitical competition, the EU has increasingly reframed its external action as ‘strategic’ and ‘geopolitical’, most notably through the Global Gateway initiative. While the EU Treaties enshrine poverty eradication as the primary objective of EU development cooperation policy, the study finds a significant shift towards integrating development cooperation with EU security, economic, and migration interests. This creates tensions between the normative core and legal foundation of the EU’s development policy and its strategic self-interests. Through a combined legal and political analysis, the study assesses the coherence of current priorities against the Union’s own benchmarks. It concludes by offering recommendations for the European Parliament to strengthen oversight, transparency, and the operationalisation of development principles within an increasingly complex and contested policy landscape.