Brussels, 23/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is prepared to release an additional sum of EUR 40 million for an action programme to advance the aims of the "A Trabajar" programme, thereby increasing the EU's contribution to EUR 103 million. At an International Donors' conference for Peru held in Madrid on Monday, the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, said that, "Peru's progress towards national reconciliation, democratisation and restoration of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is important to the EU. The Commission has put together a comprehensive package of assistance measures aimed at strengthening the social foundations of this process. We are committed to the fight against poverty in Peru and to help create the conditions for sustainable economic recovery."
The EU aid is made up of the following components: an additional EUR 40 million to advance the aims of the "A Trabajar" programme; EUR 15 million is available for actions in the Food Security programmes; EUR 48 million for projects already agreed with Lima which will be adapted to the spirit of the programme and be implemented shortly (agricultural employment and employment in micro-enterprises, training and support for local institutions).
Peru is one of the countries in Latin America receiving the greatest amount of EU aid. Between 1991 and 2000, more than EUR 400 million was made available for Peru, most of which was food aid and financial and technical co-operation programmes. The Commission and Peru are planning to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding.