Summary: November 19, 2003: Commissioner Nielson visits Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar (20-30 November 2003) (Brussels)
Mr Poul Nielson, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, will visit Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar, with a stop-over in Mauritius between 20 and 30 November. The visit will provide an opportunity to build on the EC's close partnership with these countries and to conduct in-depth discussions on the progress of the EC's development assistance programmes. It will also be an occasion to exchange views on issues relating to regional security, integration and trade.
Commissioner Nielson will also use this opportunity to address the Nairobi 'Energy for Africa' Conference and the International Investors Round Table Meeting in Tanzania.
During his visit in Kenya (20.-21. November) Commissioner Nielson will for the first time meet with President Mwai Kibaki and his new government to discuss development co-operation issues and progress in the country's political, economic, social reforms. Regional security issues including peace processes in Somalia and Sudan where Kenya assumes a leading mediating role will also be discussed. The EC's country strategy for Kenya has recently been signed. It constitutes the framework for EC
co-operation with Kenya for the period 2003-2007. The strategy provides €225 million allocated from the 9th European Development Fund (EDF). The Commissioner will on 20 November attend the official opening ceremony of the 'Energy for Africa' conference.
In Tanzania (21-25 November) Commissioner Nielson will meet President Mkapa and the Minister of Finance, Mr Mramba. In addition to development related issues this will be an occasion to discuss questions related to the regional security agenda, including the Great Lakes. The visit to Tanzania will also include visits to Pemba and Zanzibar, where the Commissioner will meet the President A. Karume and the Joint Presidential Supervisory Commission. The Commissioner will attend the third Meeting of
the International Investors' Round Table, organised by the Tanzania National Business Council. Tanzania is, and has been for many years, one of the main beneficiaries of EU aid. €355 million have been allocated to Tanzania under the 9th EDF.
During a 4-hour stop-over in Mauritius (26 November) the Commissioner will meet the newly appointed Prime Minister Paul Bérenger to discuss trade and development co-operation issues. €34,6 million have been allocated to Mauritius under the 9th EDF.
During the visit to Madagascar (26-30 November) Commissioner Nielson will meet President Mr Marc Ravalomanana, and Prime Minister, Mr Jacques Sylla. Following the unrest last year Madagascar was readmitted as a full member of the African Union during its summit in July 2003. Commissioner Nielson's visit will be an occasion to discuss Madagascar's process of social and economic recovery and EC's assistance to this process. Regional co-operation and integration will also be raised. The
Commissioner's visit will also be an opportunity to take political dialogue forward and to meet non-state actor's representatives. During his visit, a EU-funded €90 million programme in the transport sector will be signed. €327 million have been allocated to Madagascar under the 9th EDF.
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