Brussels, 14/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to contribute up to EUR 2.6 million for peace-keeping initiatives in the Horn of Africa. The funds, allocated under the rapid reaction mechanism that allows the Commission to intervene immediately in the management of civil crises, will finance the following measures: - contribution to the initial phase of the reconciliation process in Somalia through financial assistance and the provision of technical assistance for the organisation of the Nairobi conference (Kenya, mid-June); - contribution to a UN trust fund for the demarcation of the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and as a first contribution to mine-clearing operations; - emergency mine-clearing operations in the Nuba mountains in Sudan aimed at providing access to cities and water wells.
Last year, the Commission's financial assistance to the Horn of Africa exceeded EUR 130 million. Over one billion euro is in the process of being programmed for these ACP countries under the 9th European Development Fund.