Brussels, 15/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 December 2009, the European Commission approved the first financing decisions in favour of eleven African and two Caribbean countries for a total of € 230 million, including € 215 million under the Vulnerability FLEX mechanism (V-FLEX). This is the first package of financing decisions under the €500 million V-FLEX mechanism adopted in August 2009 as a response to the economic crisis for African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP). les pays d'Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (ACP). The first countries to benefit from the V-FLEX mechanism, at their request, are Benin, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Comoros, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Malawi, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone and Zambia. 'For this first tranche, all amounts are paid in form of budget support, which will enable partner countries to maintain their level of public spending in priority areas, including in the social sectors, without jeopardising macroeconomic stability,' explains the Commission in a press release. O.J. trans fl)