Brussels, 16/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the strategy document and national indicative programme to guide co-operation between the European Union and Kenya for the period 2003-2007, with a budget of 225 million EUR, to be taken from the 9th European Development Fund. This strategy, which was worked out under the Cotonou agreement linking the European Union and the ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) countries, aims first and foremost to support the Kenyan government in its efforts to reduce poverty in the country, and to achieve sustainable development. It is based around four priorities which were defined in close co-operation with the Kenyan authorities: - agriculture and rural development (active involvement of rural communities in the local development process, creation of more favourable conditions for private sector activity, backing up local authority capacity to provide infrastructure and rural services); - transport infrastructure (help to create a coherent transport sector policy including extra support for reform in management of the road sector); macro-economic budgetary support (contribution to the national reform programme for the public sector and to the global strategy to reduce poverty undertaken by the government, especially with a view to promoting fair access to local services).
The Community funds will also be used to help support the private sector, civil society and regional initiatives, notably for trade and development.