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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 14 May 2013 : 14:05:57
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1. The European Union is by far the largest donor in The Gambia
"Madam Agnès Guillaud,Chargée d’Affaires a.i.Delegation of the European Union to The Gambia told a very colorful gathering of a cross section of Gambians and non Gambians on the occasion of Europe Day set aside many years ago, that the European Union is by far the largest donor in Gambia.
“The European Union is by far the largest donor in The Gambia, either via the European Development Fund or via the bilateral assistance provided by the EU Member States. Over the past four decades, the Government of The Gambia has been our partner in implementing EU funded projects and programmes locally; which have enhanced the socioeconomic development of The Gambia; especially addressing areas such as transport & infrastructure, food security, education, non-state actors, governance, economic growth and poverty reduction” Madam Guillaud said
She was speaking at her residence on Friday the 9th May marking Europe Day. “Our cooperation with the Government of The Gambia facilitated the realisation of 270km of roads of which Soma Basse Road and the Trans Gambia Highway were finished in the course of last year, representing a major improvement in trade and transportation in The Gambia; while works on a new stretch of road (Basse-Velingara) have started in 2013.
Important projects and programmes are now ready to start such as the Millennium Development Goals Initiative, aiming at improving agricultural production and providing school feeding for Gambian children; the Global Climate Change Alliance Project preventing coastal erosion; the Drainage and Sanitation program catering for the needs of the most deprived; and finally, 10million Euros will be devoted to the improvement of feeder roads in priority areas.
Work is in progress to determine the next allocation of EU cooperation funding in The Gambia under the 11th EDF, which will run from 2014-2020, focusing on agricultural development, food security, infrastructure, good governance, and environment.
To this end, the EU Delegation pursues a continuous and close cooperation with the government of The Gambia in order to address several main objectives laid down in The Gambia’s National Development Strategies, PAGE and Vision 2020” She said
The EU aspires to build a Europe which respects the freedom and identity of all people; and promotes core values of peace, democracy and respect for human rights internally as well as in its external relations with partners throughout the world. We have made human rights the silver thread that runs through EU foreign policy, assisting democratic transitions around the globe and helping oppressed minorities, social groups and NGOs to voice their concerns.
These values form the basis of our long-standing cooperation with The Gambia, in accordance with the Cotonou Agreement, which defines these values as "essential elements" of our cooperation in the political, development and economic fields. This is the work we must continue today together with the Government of The Gambia for the benefit and welfare of the Gambian people.
The EU representative said May 9th was designated Europe Day in recognition of a declaration made by the then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman 63 years ago. This declaration has laid the foundations for European integration by binding European countries together ensuring that war could never happen again on the continent.
European integration has come a long way since then. Today, the European Union brings together over 500 million people from 27 countries (soon 28), speaking 23 languages.
Mrs Susan Waffa-Ogoo the Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia, thank the EU representative and said she is honoured to be associated to this very special occasion of Europe Day."
SOURCE: THE DAILY NEWS
2. RELATED BANTABA TOPIC: On The European Union’s 17 Points Proposed
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Edited by - kobo on 14 May 2013 20:09:39 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2013 : 20:23:06
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THE EU – GAMBIA RELATIONS
"FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER SAID IT IS NOT STRAINED, WHAT NEXT?
There is a common language from the camp of the ruling party that some people are being used by foreigners against their country. Only those who do not understand the complexes of foreign policy would accuse Gambians of being used by foreign interest groups or foreign interest groups being used by Gambian dissidents.
Governments have foreign envoys stationed in countries in the worst of times. Only on exceptional circumstances do they expel foreign envoys knowing full well that if they do retaliation should be expected. Foreign envoys are information givers and gatherers. If they do not know the true happenings in a country they would not be able to guide the foreign policy makers of their countries.
Each Government has its foreign policy interests and priorities. Some are concerned with the interest of their nationals in a given country; others are preoccupied with their investments in a country while some do take into consideration the sharing of common values.
Gambians should not have false expectations that all the campaign launched by the APRC leadership is a reflection of how they conduct their foreign policy in private. Hence, one should not dismiss the claim of the Foreign Minister that the relation of the two is not strained. This is an indication that the Government Minister understands the value of the relationship and that measures are being taken to mend fences despite the open vociferations of the APRC leadership.
What the EU is calling for is mere respect of the principles of the Cotonou accord. Senegal, EU, the USA or any country could only influence the Governance environment in the Country. It is not too much to ask a government to protect the rights of its citizenry. It is also incumbent on a Government to provide good governance to a people on whose power it relies to have the legitimacy to govern.
Outsiders cannot change the Gambia for Gambians. Only the Gambian people could change the Gambia if they so desire. The APRC leadership should also stop blaming outsiders for the attitude of some Gambians towards its leadership. The attitude of Gambians towards the government should not lead to any violation of the constitution by the Government. Such behaviour could lead to a foreign policy crisis which could cost the country huge economic losses.
The Programme Officer of the European Union Delegation recently said at a training session that the current 10th European Development Fund Financial envelope, for the Gambia for the period 2008-2013, amounts to 76 Million Euro (around GMD D2.5 Billion) which is a substantial increase compared to the 9th EDF.” The 11th EDF is waiting to be negotiated.
Will the government allow dispute in the quality of governance to derail the process? The future will tell and Foroyaa will do the coverage and reportage."
Written by:Ousman Njie
SOURCE: Foroyaa Editorial |
Edited by - kobo on 15 May 2013 07:29:22 |
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