Compact version |
|
Sunday, 9 June 2024 | ||
|
European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-08-29Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Spokesman's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Service Presse et Communicationb29/08/2000CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Statement by President Prodi on the Burundi Peace Process and on the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signing Ceremony at Arusha, TanzaniaOn behalf of the European Commission, I welcome this important step in the negotiations, the signing of the Burundi Peace and Reconciliation Agreement. It is a key point in this long and difficult peace process. I would like to praise Mr. Mandela for his efforts and commitment, as a facilitator, in achieving this result. Our gratitude also goes to the other Regional leaders and all the other parties who have worked to reach where we are today. We should also not forget the efforts of former President, Mwalimu Nyerere. From the beginning the EU has supported the peace process, both politically and with major financial and logistical contributions. The Commission is, further more, reinforcing the peace process by means of "enhanced" humanitarian aid, in addition to the important amounts of ECHO financed humanitarian aid (€24 million from 1994 up until now). The total funds for this "enhanced" humanitarian aid are €55 million. This includes our new Rehabilitation Programme for €8 Million (to improve the poorest living conditions, to support the justice sector and future demobilisation programmes and reconciliation activities ). The Commission believes that structural aid to Burundi should resume gradually once the following conditions are met: active engagement of all parties in the peace negotiations and improvements in human rights and in the security situation. The Commission is already preparing the resumption of this co- operation at the technical level and technical missions are currently assessing the health and rural economy sectors. Future EC support will be focused on the implementation of the peace agreement and will look for a new model of development for Burundi, based on the equitable sharing of the benefits of progress amongst all Burundians. The Commission hopes that the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement will open new perspectives for our co- operation. However, this draft agreement is not the final result, but is an achievement in an ongoing process, that needs still more efforts in order to establish a lasting peace. I, personally, call on the Burundian people to go further and overcome the remaining obstacles. The result will be peace, security and a better life for everybody. MIDDAY EXPRESS autre matériel à diffuser: A disposition au secrétariat de Luc Veron (BREY 6/210): - Rapport de l'OLAFMIDDAY EXPRESSFrom EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
|