Brussels, 17/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following a two-day visit to Colombia (see other article) EU Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner will visit Guatemala where, on Wednesday 18 April, she will present the new aid programme for Central America for 2007-2013. The overall amount for this programme is €840 million, an increase of €200 million compared to the previous programme. This time six counties will benefit from each of the specific action priorities in this programme. Ferrero-Waldner declared: "Our cooperation strategy with Central America is just one of the ways in which the European Commission is helping the countries of the region cope with the dual challenge of regional integration and social cohesion, and it will accompany the future association agreement between the two regions”.
The European aid will be allocated accordingly: Costa Rica (€34 million) - the strategy will focus on strengthening social cohesion and supporting regional integration; El Salvador (€121 million) - to foster social cohesion and economic growth; Honduras (€223 million) - health, education and justice, sustainable management of natural resources, particularly forests, and poverty alleviation in rural areas; Nicaragua (€214 million) - to consolidate democracy and the rule of law, invest in education, guarantee macroeconomic stability and integrate Nicaragua more closely into the world economy; Panama (€38 million) - to focus on strengthening social cohesion and supporting regional integration. €75 million will go to promote regional cooperation and integration between these six countries in the context of the future association agreement between the EU and Central America (EUROPE 9323). Regional institutions and common policies such as the customs union and good governance, including the security of regional trade will benefit from this support.
During her stay in the Guatemalan capital, Ferrero-Waldner will meet Oscar Berger, President of Guatemala, Vice-President Eduardo Stein, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Gert Rosenthal. In a press statement, the commissioner declared, “I came here not only to congratulate the Guatemalans for the progress they have achieved since the signing of the peace agreements ten years ago, but also to encourage the politicians to continue their efforts to ensure greater social cohesion and greater security for the entire population. On the eve of the elections, the country is still struggling with poverty, discrimination, insecurity and the impunity of those who victimise human-rights defenders among others. These phenomena particularly affect the most vulnerable members of society such as indigenous peoples, young people and women”. (mb)