Commissioner Michel signs 30 M€ support program for regional integration and trade with East and Southern Africa

FR

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, signed today a 30M€ support program for regional economic integration in the Eastern and Southern African region. Louis Michel participates at the Indian Ocean Commission summit which takes place in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Commissioner Michel said: "Regional integration and the removal of barriers which limit the region's trading opportunities are two vital elements for development and eradication of poverty."

The overall objective of the Regional Integration Support Programme (RISP) is to assist the Regional Organisations (COMESA, EAC, IGAD and IOC)¹ in the implementation of their respective programs for regional integration.

Louis Michel stressed his « strong commitment to capacity building of regional organisations, reinforcing their ability to provide the services needed to facilitate regional integration of their member states".

The programme's purpose is to develop the capacity of the Regional Organisations and their member states in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of regional integration, multilateral and regional trade and trade-related areas. It will also assist the countries in the region in their preparation for the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations. The four ACP member states of the IOC, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, all members of COMESA, will benefit from this large programme.

"I strongly believe in ownership by African countries of their development policies, but this implies having the means to realise them and this is our contribution", said Commissioner Michel. This programme will be implemented through an innovative 'Contribution Agreement' with COMESA which allows funds to be used according to the organisations' own structures, procedures and systems. This novel approach will speed up and simplify implementation and, at the same time, reinforce the beneficiaries' internal administrative capacities. It is a substantial step led by the EU towards the harmonisation of donors' assistance.

The EC and the East and South African region have agreed long term cooperation under the Cotonou Agreement. The current five-year strategy for regional cooperation was agreed in November 2002 for 223 M€. Support to regional economic integration is the highest priority.

The total budget for the RISP amounts to 38 M€, 30 M financed by the EU and 8 M co-financed by COMESA and EAC.

The activities that will be supported under the programme are: implementation of COMESA and EAC Customs Union roadmaps; consolidation and expansion of the COMESA Free Trade Area; improved trade negotiating capacities (including EPAs) in ESA member states; development of regional standards and capacities of standards bureaus in member states; improved and harmonised statistical data; harmonisation of implementation of the Regional Payments and Settlement System.

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• Speech by Commissioner Michel - Africa is taking giant steps towards regional integration (2/6/2005)