Brussels, 11/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - The return to security and the rule of law through a national reconciliation process is the top priority for Ivoirian President Alassane Ouattara. He will be able to count on EU aid, assured Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs on 6 May on his first visit to Abidjan, only three weeks after the end of the post-electoral conflict (see EUROPE 10371).
Security and the rule of law are prerequisites if the country is to rebuild from solid foundations, Piebalgs told the press. He went on to say that the EU hailed the desire by President Ouattara that light be shed on the events of the last few months and that impunity should not be allowed to reign. The second priority is the relaunch of the economy and the social sectors which requires an easy shift from emergency aid to more long-term aid. For this priority, too, the EU will continue to provide support.
Determined to help a country devastated by post-electoral violence, the EU has turned its word into deed, immediately launching plans to help President Ouattara “in his huge task of reconciliation and rebuilding”, said Piebalgs who had come to Côte d'Ivoire to assure the legally elected president of the European Union's “strong, long-term commitment” to the country. The €180 million released as early as 12 April form the hard core of the post-crisis package, to which can be added the €60 million in humanitarian aid from the Commission. In the short term, the Commission will provide €70 million to resume the projects suspended during the crisis, with most going to re-establish electricity and water connections, Piebalgs said. The three other projects, worth a total of €44 million, signed in Abidjan will help agriculture and the reform of the justice sector. On this envelope, €28 million will go to the sugar, cotton and food agriculture. “This aid will help the recovery of the agriculture sector”, one of the drivers of the Ivorian economy, Piebalgs said. €18 million will be devoted to the reform of the justice sector to improve efficiency, transparency and fairness, thereby helping to support the national reconciliation process.
The commissioner stressed the importance of the recovery of the country, not only for Ivoirians themselves but also for the region and the whole African continent. He added: “Côte d'Ivoire must once again become the economic engine of West Africa. We are working towards that objective in close cooperation with France and other European states to maximise our support.” (A.N./transl.rt)