Fight against poverty a priority

THE European Union plans to increase aid and assist Africa in its fight against poverty and the HIV-AIDS pandemic, the European Commission’s head of delegation in Namibia, Antonius Brueser, said on Tuesday in Windhoek.

Brueser was addressing a press conference held at his offices, where he also introduced Madeleine Kihlberg, the Desk Officer for Botswana and Namibia at the EC in Brussels, Belgium. Kihlberg is on a week-long visit to Namibia to hold talks with the Government and visit some of the EU projects around the country.She said part of her mission was to assess the current partnership between Namibia and the EU as part of her organisation’s review of the current five-year term, which ends next year.Kihlberg earlier that day held talks with Prime Minister Nahas Angula where priority issues were discussed, taking into account the new EU strategy for Africa.Poverty has been a persistent economic problem in Africa.The EU, in partnership with developing countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals, is striving towards the eradication of poverty and better access to health, education, water and sanitation.The refocusing on Africa would ensure that – among other things – the EU aid to the continent will increase by two-thirds, from 17 billion euro in 2003 to approximately 25 billion euro per year in 2010.According to the EU, the new aid plan still has to be discussed with member countries.Kihlberg said it was apparent that the major issue for the Government of Namibia was poverty reduction, and although the discussion did not go into details on specific projects, the EU would continue supporting projects aimed at alleviating poverty, especially in the rural areas.She said a draft on the future of the partnership between the EU and Namibia would be out by the middle of next year.Brueser said the commission would work in partnership with the Government, the private sector and development agencies.Asked on what the EU was benefiting from pumping millions into Africa, Brueser said the relationships should be viewed as partnerships and that the EU was also striving for development, peace and stability on the African continent.Developing nations have often accused foreign donors of giving aid with strings attached, which sometimes includes influencing political direction in the beneficiary countries.He said poverty reduction, HIV-AIDS, trade, tourism, education and environmental management in Namibia would remain priorities for the EU.Kihlberg is on a week-long visit to Namibia to hold talks with the Government and visit some of the EU projects around the country.She said part of her mission was to assess the current partnership between Namibia and the EU as part of her organisation’s review of the current five-year term, which ends next year.Kihlberg earlier that day held talks with Prime Minister Nahas Angula where priority issues were discussed, taking into account the new EU strategy for Africa.Poverty has been a persistent economic problem in Africa.The EU, in partnership with developing countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals, is striving towards the eradication of poverty and better access to health, education, water and sanitation.The refocusing on Africa would ensure that – among other things – the EU aid to the continent will increase by two-thirds, from 17 billion euro in 2003 to approximately 25 billion euro per year in 2010.According to the EU, the new aid plan still has to be discussed with member countries.Kihlberg said it was apparent that the major issue for the Government of Namibia was poverty reduction, and although the discussion did not go into details on specific projects, the EU would continue supporting projects aimed at alleviating poverty, especially in the rural areas.She said a draft on the future of the partnership between the EU and Namibia would be out by the middle of next year.Brueser said the commission would work in partnership with the Government, the private sector and development agencies.Asked on what the EU was benefiting from pumping millions into Africa, Brueser said the relationships should be viewed as partnerships and that the EU was also striving for development, peace and stability on the African continent.Developing nations have often accused foreign donors of giving aid with strings attached, which sometimes includes influencing political direction in the beneficiary countries.He said poverty reduction, HIV-AIDS, trade, tourism, education and environmental management in Namibia would remain priorities for the EU.