European Development Fund allocates €745 mln to Ethiopia’s nat’l program

Addis Ababa, April 2, 2016 (FBC) – A delegation from the European Parliament has assured EU’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia and Africa.
EU’s pledge for increased future cooperation came during Friday’s press briefing given by the visiting delegation in Addis Ababa.

During his briefing, the President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats at EU parliament, Gianni Pittella said Ethiopia is a key country in the region.

Close linkage between Europe and Africa is important for the betterment of future relations between the Union and African countries, according to the president.

In its earlier discussion with Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, the parliamentary group shared views on the necessity to reinforce democracy, freedom and pluralism.

The delegation also reflected on issues of terrorism, poverty, climate change, immigration and other possible areas of collaboration.

Pittella said “We can win if we act together”, and jointly rectify some of the mistakes made in pervious approaches to Africa.

He also talked about the necessity of building political partnership with Africa, and Ethiopia as well.

The leader of the EU parliament delegation stressed that the EU Parliament is strongly committed to further expand and deepen its cooperation in order to assist Ethiopia’s efforts to become a middle income country by 2025.

The majority of EU development funding for Ethiopia is reportedly financed by the European Development Fund with the objectives of increasing resilience, accompanying reforms and promoting sustained economic growth.

The 11th European Development Fund allocated an initial amount of 745 million Euros to the Ethiopian national program until 2020. It focuses on sustainable agriculture and food security, mainly targeting vulnerable population groups.

Under the previous cycle of funding from 2009-2013, the EU dedicated 674 million Euros to programs in Ethiopia.

One multi-donor program project with an EU contribution of 100 million Euros, the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), is the largest program of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It was indicated that another group of EU Parliament members is expected to visit Ethiopia.