Brussels, 27/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 27 October, the EU announced a series of decisions granting financial support to four Mediterranean countries - Algerian, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco - for budget year 2015.
The overall amount is for €365.5 million and this will help “promote private sector development, democratic reforms and better living conditions in Southern Mediterranean partner countries”, an official press release states. It adds that Algeria will receive €25 million, Jordan €135 million, Lebanon €25 million, and Morocco €180.5 million. Other decisions are expected for the other countries concerned (Tunisia and Egypt), an authorised source says.
The aid package helping the four countries will be divided as follows: €237 million for developing the private sector, especially improving “the global business environment and promoting economic diversification”; €100 million “will contribute to improving citizens' living conditions, including through poverty reduction initiatives and better access to basic health services”, and will address “effects of climate change through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency actions”; €28.5 million will support democratic reforms in Algeria, Lebanon and Morocco.
In the view of European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, “this EU support is crucial, given the various challenges our Southern Mediterranean partners are currently facing”. (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)