Brussels, 22/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - José Manuel Barroso has expressed his hopes that the international conference on Somalia due to open in London this Thursday 23 February (see EUROPE 10557) will bring about a major change in terms of security, but also political level. He said this on 21 February to Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, who had come to report to him on progress made to get the country out of chaos and insecurity and start it moving towards good governance, political reconciliation and permanent rather than transitional institutions.
After their meeting, Barroso welcomed “major progress seen on the ground” and said that he was “encouraged” by the way the prime minister is planning to end the transition in August of this year. “I told the prime minister that the continuation of our support and encouragement must go hand in hand with improvements on the political front. I truly wish to encourage the prime minister to continue on the highly courageous path he started out on. We are strongly committed to support Somalia to restore peace and stability, to allow the Somalis access to a better life. The EU's mission is to help you in these efforts”, Barroso told the press.
Pointing out that “the EU is the largest donor, in terms of support for security and peace, humanitarian aid and development aid” (€415 million for 2008-2015 to fund activities in the field of governance, education and economic development, €258 million since 2007 in support to AMISOM), Barroso added: “the EU is prepared to mobilise additional resources to allow an increase in the number of troops. This aid will be substantial, but will cover only some of the needs accrued.” He therefore called on the other donors to increase their aid as well.
Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said that he was encouraged by the enthusiasm and interest shown by the EU in his country, which is “coming out of a long and difficult period, 21 years of civil war, anarchy and violence”, adding that he was determined to ensure that Somalia, “a lawless state, dominated by chaos”, is able to enter an “era of peace and stability” and rejoin the community of nations. The Somali prime minister said that the Arab countries “could and should do more” to help his country. The two heads expressed their hopes of increased cooperation within a closer partnership. (AN/transl.fl)