Somalia: EU Supports Governance, Education and Jobs

By NewsfromAfrica

MOGADISHU—On Saturday, the EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d'Urso, and thePresident of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, have launched together in Mogadishu the new EU development package of 158 million euros that will be implemented in line with the priorities of the Somali Government. 

The EU Special Envoy will also travel later on this week-end to Hargeisa and Garowe to underscore the support being provided under this package to Somaliland and Puntland. This development package is the largest single EU programme ever approved for Somalia.

"The European Union has substantially increased its development budget for Somalia, stated the EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d'Urso. In doing so, the EU is paying tribute to the peaceful political transition and takes into account the huge development needs of the Somali people. The European Union wants indeed to express its full confidence in the governance and peace building progress in Somalia and is committed to a robust EU-Somalia partnership with strong Somali ownership."

The new EU package results from the mid-term review that has increased Somalia's development envelope from 212 million to 412 million EUR. The additional support will be focussed Governance and Security, Democratisation, Economic Development, Education, Food Security and Technical Development Assistance.