Brussels, 14/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 14 November, during a visit to Myanmar (13-15 November) for the first EU-Myanmar task force meeting, Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, said that the EU could enhance its development cooperation, with €90 million a year being allocated to the country over the 2014-2020 period.
This financial package will focus on rural development, education, governance and support for peace consolidation. The package will still need to be formally ratified by the EU's budgetary authority, the Parliament and Council.
The Commissioner said that “the development taking place in Myanmar is unprecedented and needs to be acknowledged. But we must not forget about the challenges ahead, for which the EU, as one of the main donors, will stand by with further support to continue the necessary reforms in the country. This will be done in coordination with EU member states and other donors, and in harmony with the government's own plans”.
On the sidelines of the Task Force meeting, Commissioner Piebalgs will also chair a Development Forum with the Myanmar Minister of Planning, Kan Zaw, a meeting that will be attended by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar opposition leader and democracy campaigner, and civil society organisations and private sector representatives. Piebalgs will also take part in the official launch of the SWITCH-SMART (SMEs for Environmental, Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency) programme, which promotes and supports sustainable production of garments “Made in Myanmar” striving to increase the international competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in this sector. The EU will provide €2 million to finance this 3-year project which aims to reduce poverty through trade and private sector development in Myanmar.
As part of its development assistance to Myanmar since 1996, the EU has so far committed €300 million to the country. Following the political opening of the country Commissioner Piebalgs announced a package of support of €150 million early last year for 2012 and 2013, all of which has already been committed. €100 million of this was committed in 2012 for health, education livelihoods, aid to uprooted people and civil society, which has developed considerably over recent years. Support to civil society will go towards monitoring reform and transition, addressing discrimination (ethnic tensions) and domestic observation of the electoral cycle. The remaining €50 million were committed in 2013 to provide support to peace building, tackling climate change and trade and private sector projects. (AN/trans.fl)