Brussels, 23/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Regional Indicative Programme, establishing the cooperation priorities between the EU and Central Africa until 2020 was signed in Brussels on 23 June. It is worth €350 million over the seven years from 2014 to 2020.
The programme will concentrate most of the aid on three priority areas: political integration and cooperation in peace and security (€43 million); regional economic integration and trade (€211 million, €135 million of which will go through the Infrastructure Trust Fund); and the sustainable development of natural resources and biodiversity (€88 million). A further €8 million is set aside to support technical cooperation and regional authorising officers. The money will come from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), devoted to cooperation between the EU and the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) group of states.
Taking part in the signing ceremony were European International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica, ministers and representatives of the Central African region, the secretary general of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the president of the Commission for Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). Under the 10th EDF (2008-2013), Central Africa benefitted to the tune of €165 million. (Aminata Niang)