Brussels, 24/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - For the 2014-2020 period, the EU intends to allocate over €6.5 billion in development aid to countries and regional organisations in Asia - in other words 20% more than the support previously granted (€5.1 billion for 2007-2013). The €6.5 billion, financed by the EU's general budget, will cover regional programmes and bilateral aid to 12 eligible countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar/Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam).
“The future programmes are expected to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the region, address climate change, promote energy efficiency, facilitate business and trade through better market access and support regional integration”, underlines European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs in a press release.
Social protection, improvement in health and education, job creation and the improvement of these countries' integration into regional and global markets are among the big priorities identified by the EU and partner countries, and will therefore constitute the areas of focus for the aid. These priorities were discussed with representatives from the recipient countries and from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during an aid programming seminar in Brussels on 20-21 March.
While Asian economies have shown remarkable recent growth, poverty is still widespread on the continent - hence the EU's decision to increase its financial support. According to the Asian Development Bank, about 800 million people in the Asia and Pacific region are still living in extreme poverty (with less than $1.25 a day). Most countries in the region are facing challenges due to uneven regional development and increasing income inequality. (AN)