Brussels, 12/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 9 June, the European Commission and the government of Timor-Leste represented by the minister for planning and finance, Maria Magdalena Boavida, approved the cooperation framework, the Country Strategy Paper, for 2006-2007. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and Foreign and Defence Minister José Ramos Horta were also there. The Country Strategy Paper signed by the partners under the Cotonou Agreement establishes the National Indicative Programme (NIP) that will have a budget of €18 million over two years. Of this total, €12 million are earmarked for rural development, and €6 million will be devoted to institutional capacity building.
“This is a strong manifestation of the full support and solidarity of the European Commission with the people and government of Timor-Leste, which I expressed in a letter to President Xanana Gusmao last week”, Commission President José Manuel Barroso said. Louis Michel, Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, added: “The Commission stands ready to continue assisting and accompanying Timor-Leste in its continuing efforts to build a new independent and democratic state, respectful of the Rule of Law and pursuing social and economic development”.
The Country Strategy Paper bridges the gap between the end of cooperation under the Asia and Latin America Regulation (to which Timor-Leste was ascribed before the ratification of Cotonou) and the programming of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), starting 1 January 2008. The amount of €18 million will be devoted to finance projects to reduce poverty in all sectors and regions of the country and to promote equitable and sustainable economic growth, and improving the health, education and well-being of the people of Timor-Leste. Concerns regarding gender equality, the environment and governance are constant throughout the strategy. Participation of non-State players in implementation of the paper should ensure “local ownership”. For the period 2008-2013, the Commission foresees earmarking €63 million to Timor-Leste, under the 10th EDF. Priority areas of intervention will be established in coming weeks, in consultation with the government of Timor-Leste.