Commission continues to deliver on its reconstruction pledge for Afghanistan

Summary: October 1, 2004: Afghanistan: Commission continues to deliver on its reconstruction pledge (Brussels)

FR - DE

As part of its € 400 million package to Afghanistan for 2003-04, the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Sixth Reconstruction Programme with a total budget of € 34 million. The purpose of this Programme is to enhance the living conditions of the ordinary Afghan population, with a particular focus on rural poverty and restoration of farming activities. This Programme will continue to contribute to the restoration of political stability and stronger public administration, promote respect for the rule of law and human rights, especially those of women, and alleviate poverty by improving levels of economic activity. The Programme underlines the Commission's continuing commitment to the rebuilding of Afghanistan, as the country approaches its landmark Presidential election, to be held on 9 October.

The main elements of this latest programme are as follows:

€ 7 million will be used to fund a consolidation phase of an ongoing rural recovery programme ensuring that achievements are sustained and investment losses avoided.
€ 9.4 million will help to re-establish a functioning public animal health system to ensure healthier and more productive livestock.
€ 10 million will further support the reform process in public administration in particular, extending reforms to the provinces.
€ 6 million will go to support human rights and civil society, in particular to support the emergence of a professional journalistic community and to address the problem of domestic violence.
€ 1.6 million will be used for audits, evaluation and information purposes.

Most contracts will be concluded with implementing partners such as UN organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and private companies since the programme management capacity of government institutions remains limited despite some progress.

Background:

The Commission has been fully involved with the reconstruction of Afghanistan since 2001 and pledged approximately € 1 billion over 5 years (2002-2006) at the Tokyo Conference in January 2002. This does not include humanitarian assistance delivered through ECHO which accounts for an additional €163 million since 2002

With the proposed 6th reconstruction programme, the Commission is continuing to deliver on the Tokyo pledge. The proposed programme is part of a €400 million Commission package for 2003-2004 which concentrates on the four sectors of rural development and food security, public sector reform, economic infrastructure and support for the health sector.

In 2002, the Commission provided more than €280 million for reconstructing Afghanistan, which includes about €73 million for humanitarian assistance provided by ECHO. Most of these funds have been contracted, demonstrating that the European Commission is not only strongly committed to Afghanistan, but is fulfilling its commitments efficiently. In 2003, the Commission provided an overall budget of €246 million plus approx. €54 million in humanitarian aid (ECHO). For the year 2004, commitments have been made already for a total of € 136.5 million to which this Programme will be added.

In line with the Bonn Agreements of December 2001, Presidential elections are taking place in Afghanistan on 9 October. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to follow in spring 2005.

Ref: EC04-239EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 1/10/2004

| Top |

< Back to previous page