Brussels, 15/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday15 December, the European Commission unveiled a range of measures to back stability and transition in Libya, with a budget of €10 million for three areas of action - the civil service, education and civil society.
The programme will boost civil society and the civil service by providing expert training and expertise through the twinning of Arab and EU partners. It will also improve education by helping pay for teacher training and rewriting gender and minority sections in school textbooks.
Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: “When I visited Tripoli in November, the Libyan authorities and the civil society representatives I met all expressed their gratitude to the EU for our support during the crisis. We are now here to help the new Libya develop its institutions and the civil society which will build a deep democracy respectful of the rights of everyone. Public administration, education, and resources for the civil society - in particular youth and women - will be crucial factors in defining the way ahead.” EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle said the Commission's decision “helps pave the way towards a more open and inclusive society for Libyans, with a public administration that responds to their needs.” (CG/transl.fl)