Brussels, 15/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission and Eritrea signed a Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and Indicative Programme outlining the EU's co-operation programme for the 2002 - 2007 period. The main aim of the programme is to support efforts by Eritrea to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development. €88 million is to be spent on post-conflict rehabilitation and demobilisation. An additional sum of €8.8 million may be drawn on for unforeseen needs such as emergency assistance, debt relief and compensation for loss of export earnings. These non-repayable funds have been allocated from the 9th European Development Fund.
The co-operation strategy is based on the principles of ownership and partnership of the Cotonou Agreement and focuses on three main points: 1) Post-conflict rehabilitation programme including humanitarian aid and reconstruction of social and transport infrastructure in the war-affected areas as well as de-mining. 2) Support for demobilisation and reintegration of the war-affected population that will help to restore macro-economic stability and to draw on the potentials of the country. 3) Support to the development of long-term strategies in the sectors (food security, transport, education) identified as the key structural constraints for development.
In a press statement, the Commission stressed that the EU strategy with regard to Eritrea is "based on the Government's own pace of reconstruction, whilst intending to prepare the ground for long-term development".
The country has been the victim of a serious humanitarian crisis and conflict with Ethiopia. A series of events took place in September 2001 that led to the freezing of new commitments and development co-operation was stalled. There have, however, recently been important steps from both sides to overcome this impasse and it has been agreed that a political dialogue will start aiming to reconcile differences. The Commission noted that, "The signature of this CSP should be seen in this light. Its practical implementation will be conditioned on the success of this dialogue".