28/02/2019 (Agence Europe) – National Ambassadors to the EU were informed on Wednesday 27 February, by way of simple consultation without discussion, of a proposal by the European Commission to extend the EU Trust Fund for the Central African Republic (CAR), the Bêkou Fund, until 31 December 2020 (see EUROPE 12117, 11852). This proposal will be submitted for approval to the EU Council at a forthcoming ministerial meeting. In addition to the €40 million still available to finance activities until the end of the current term for the Bêkou Fund (next July), this extension request is supported at this stage by additional funding commitments from France (€5 million), Germany (€5 million) and Italy (€1 million). The EU has also indicated the possibility of using the reserve from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for up to €40 million. (AN)