So, afterall, its no chicken change. I thought your president said that all we've been getting from EU is nothing but chicken change.
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Subject: [>-<] GAMBIA DESCRIBE EU AS TRUE PARTNERS
Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 11:39:03 +0100
Foreign Minister: Gambia considers EU a true partner in development
Wednesday, May 22, 2013The government of The Gambia considers the European Union a true partner in development, as over the years, the financial support provided by the EU has enabled The Gambia government to implement its development programmes, says the Foreign Affairs minister.
Minister Susan Waffa-Ogoo was speaking recently at a reception hosted by the EU Delegation to The Gambia to commemorate Europe Day. She expressed confidence that through constant interaction that recognises “our social, religious and cultural differences, The Gambia-EU relationship will continue to be productive”.
Further acknowledging EU as a development partner, the Foreign minister said The Gambia government is appreciative of the various interventions of the EU in forms of budgetary support. “The various budgetary support packages from the EU have enabled the implementation of most of the programmes in the agricultural, health and educational sectors as specified in our National Development Documents.
“Also through the drainage, sanitation and waste management, EU MDG Initiative, The Gambia’s Emergency Agricultural Project and assistance to mitigate the challenges of crop failure of 2011, the EU has enormously contributed to the efforts of the government of The Gambia towards improving the living standards of Gambians,” she remarked.
While commending the EU for being firmly tied together for a common purpose that makes them more reluctant to engage in behaviours that are detrimental to the continuation of lasting peace and unity in Europe, the Foreign minister however pointed out that the problems faced by states in the 21st Century are now far-reaching and multifaceted. Issues of organised crime, global financial and economic stagnation, and climate change, according to her, continue to support the logic that cooperation between states in ways that recognise their sovereignty and independence is the best approach to solving global problems.
The EU charge d’ affaires Agnes Guillaud, said that The Gambia government has over the past four decades been their partner in implementing EU funded projects and programmes . These programmes, she indicated, have enhanced the socio-economic development of The Gambia, especially in addressing issues such as transport and infrastructure, food security, education, non-state actors, governance, economic growth and poverty reduction. The European Union, she went on, is by far the largest donor to The Gambia, either through the European Development Fund or via bilateral assistance provided by member states.
“Our cooperation with the government of The Gambia facilitated the realisation of 270 kilometers of road networks of which the Soma-Basse road and the Trans-Gambia Highway were completed in the course of last year, representing a major improvement in trade and transportation in The Gambia, while work on a new stretch – Basse-Wellingara have started in 2013,” she informed.
The EU diplomat went on to disclose that important projects and programmes are now ready to start. These, she said, include the Millennium Development Goals Initiative, which aims to improve agricultural production and providing school feeding for Gambian children; the Global Climate Change Alliance Project, seeking to prevent coastal erosion; the Drainage and Sanitation Programme, catering for the needs of the most deprived. She also disclosed that 10 million Euros will be devoted to the improvement of feeder roads in priority areas.
“Work is in progress to determine the next allocation of EU cooperation funding in The Gambia under the 11th EDF (European Development Fund), which will run from 2014-2020, focusing on agricultural development, food security, infrastructure, good governance and environment,” she added.
Guillaud said the EU Delegation pursues a continuous and close cooperation with the government of The Gambia in order to address several main objectives laid down in The Gambia’s National Development Strategies such as the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) and the Vision 2020.
Commenting on the Europe Day, she disclosed that it was designated by the then French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman 63 years ago. This declaration, according to her, laid the foundation for European integration by binding European countries together in ensuring that war could never happen again on the continent. Noting that European integration has come a long way, the diplomat said today the EU brings together over 500 million people from 27 countries with 23 speaking languages, she concluded.
Author: Daily Observer