EU promises generous grants for the people of Afghanistan

EU reconfirms support for Afghanistan at 2020 Geneva Conference. The EU is collectively the biggest donor for international aid in the world and reconfirms further support for Afghanistan. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/worl... #eudebates #Libya #EuropeanUnion #AlSaraz #Haftar #Erdogan #Turkey #Egypt #Berlin #Israel #UAE #Bahrain #Sudan EU provides over € 50 billion a year to help overcoming poverty and advance global development. EU implements the international agreements on aid effectiveness. EU grants focus to be accountable to EU citizens, who make solidarity initiatives possible. The European Union reconfirmed now its long-standing solidarity and partnership with the people of Afghanistan. EU promises support of €1.2 billion over the period 2021–2025 in both long-term and emergency assistance at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference “Peace, Prosperity and Self-Reliance”. The Afghan people can count on the European Union’s support for a prosperous and peaceful future for their country, but our support relies on democracy, human rights, and social progress being protected. Josep Borrell Fontelles https://www.eudebates.tv/ #eudebates #Libya #EuropeanUnion #AlSaraz #Haftar #Erdogan #Turkey #Egypt #Berlin #Israel #UAE #Bahrain #Sudan EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, speaking at the opening session of the conference, added: “With intra-Afghan peace negotiations having started, but terrible violence still causing great suffering for the Afghan people, Afghanistan is at a crossroads.” Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, who announced the EU’s pledge at the conference and participated in a side event on anti-corruption, said: “A pledge of €1.2 billion for the next four years illustrates our commitment to the Afghan people. Our assistance will support the Afghan authorities’ agenda for democratic, sustainable development and modernisation, helping to lift people out of poverty, improve governance, reduce corruption and enhance the daily lives of the Afghan people.” EU Strategy for Afghanistan The EU’s relationship with Afghanistan reflect the 2017 EU Strategy for Afghanistan, aimed at strengthening the country’s institutions and economy. The 2017 Cooperation Agreement provides the basis for developing a mutually beneficial relationship in several areas such as: human rights, the rule of law, health, rural development, education, science and technology, the fight against terrorism, organised crime and narcotics. Most recently, EU27 have given further steer in the May 2020 Conclusions of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, who co-hosted a side event on sustainable peace building, as well as a high-level meeting on international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in Afghanistan ahead of the conference, said: “We are boosting our humanitarian aid to help those most in need. While it must never become a political instrument, humanitarian assistance, International Humanitarian Law and protection of civilians must be central in the ongoing Afghan Peace Process negotiations. The protection of civilian lives and respect of International Humanitarian Law in conflict cannot wait for the end of the peace negotiations. It must begin now.” EU among the most generous humanitarian donors In 2016, the EU similarly pledged Afghanistan €1.2 billion euros over a four-year period. Actual payments in 2016–2020 exceeded €1.75 billion. In 2002–2020, the European Union has committed in total more than €5.1 billion to Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the largest beneficiary of EU development assistance in the world. EU support aims to preserve the political and development achievements of the last 19 years. European Union support follow strong democratic and human rights principles. The EU has been among the most generous humanitarian donors to Afghanistan. Total EU humanitarian assistance in the country since 1994 amounts to almost €1 billion. Significant but conditional support The significant financial commitment demonstrates that the EU is unwavering in its determination to promote a peaceful, democratic, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan. EU grants makes clear that EU development assistance is based on clear conditions and principles. https://www.eudebates.tv/ #eudebates