Brussels, 07/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel will be visiting the Central African Republic (CAR) from 6-8 March to take stock of the security situation, promote political stabilisation in the country and obtain commitments from the government in the matter of governance. This will be the first time a European Commissioner has visited CAR for more than 30 years.
Louis Michel will meet the president of the Central African Republic, other members of the government and representatives of civil society, and will sign two funding agreements: one for €55 million for a comprehensive programme of institutional support and measures to open up the country, including the construction of a section of the Bouar-Garoua Boulai road; and the other for €13.6 million for a programme to reduce multilateral and domestic debt arrears.
EU cooperation with the CAR was partially suspended in the wake of March 2003's coup d'état but full cooperation was restored in July 2005. Under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF, 2002 - 2007), the European Commission has focussed on infrastructure, macroeconomic support and strengthening sound management of public finances. A further €15.5 million has been pledged from the Peace Facility for Africa to help finance the multinational force (FOMUC) mandated by the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) until 30 June 2007. 2007 will see a further €8 million of aid pledged for a healthcare project.
The country's initial allocation of €109 million under the 10th EDF (2008-2013) will be used to develop secondary towns and the surrounding areas by restoring the government's authority and decentralised services (education, health, water, sanitation, tracks, infrastructure, communications networks, justice, policing and energy). (an)