European Union and African Union Sign 12 Million Euro Financial Agreement Largely in Support of the African Union's Peace and Security Agenda

The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 signed 12 million Euro financial agreement particularly in support of peace and security agenda of the African Union.

European Commissioner, Mr. Poul Nielson and the Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Mr. Amara Essy, signed the agreement at the AU Headquarter, in Addis Ababa, on behalf of their two Organizations.

Ten million euro of the EU’s grant is allotted to support the AU’s agenda with regard to peace and security, negotiations and crisis resolution in Africa. The additional two million euro is for institutional support to the Commission of the African Union.

Mr. Nielson during the signing ceremony, underscored the importance the European Union attached to the positive changes taking place in the African Union. He said that the African Continent through the establishment of the AU

was in a much better form to achieve its objectives and as such enjoy a better and stronger relationship with the European Union.

"The African Union", he stated, "has provided a well structured platform for a better collaboration and cooperation with the European Union, hence this grant is a vote of confidence and the beginning of a wonderful relationship between the European Union and the African Union", he declared.