Brussels, 27/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - In response to the Arab spring, the European Commission adopted, on Tuesday 27 September, four programmes intended to support democracy, growth, job creation, micro-finance, and higher education in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. These decisions bear witness to “Europe's full engagement in ensuring the desired transition to democracy in the region”, Štefan Füle, Enlargement Commissioner, has stressed.
The Commission has adopted: (1) the SPRING programme (support for partnership, reform and inclusive growth). With €350 million for 2011 and 2012, it will support democratic transformation, institutional building and economic growth in the wake of the Arab spring; - (2) a Special Measure designed to support poorer areas in Tunisia in the aftermath of the Arab spring, with €20 million earmarked for employment and job creation and for improving living conditions in the poorest urban areas; - (3) the Erasmus Mundus programme (€66 million), allowing student and academic staff mobility, and the exchange of knowledge and skills; - and (4) the Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility allowing civil society capacity to be promoted. With a budget of €22 million, the programme will also support regional and national projects conducted by non-state players. (CG/transl.jl)