EU launches programs worth $54 million to aid Timor-Leste

[News_Editor]

EU launches programs worth $54 million to aid Timor-Leste

2011-03-08 04:00:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Monday launched a package of four strategic programs worth $54 million (€39 million) to aid Timor-Leste to achieve stable democracy and sustainable development.

European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs is currently in the South Asian country for a four-day visit. He will sign the aid package with President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta on Tuesday.

"Timor Leste has made impressive progress and is now among the ten fastest growing economies in the world. Nevertheless, many challenges still stand and the EU remains firmly by Timor-Leste side, as a supporter of future progress," said Pielbags.

Timor Leste became independent in 2002 after Indonesia relinquished control of the Southeast Asian country. Since then, it has made progress after emerging from a violent past and overcoming dramatic challenges.

The EU aid package will focus on three areas: support democratic governance, development of the rural areas, and the role of civil society. Pielbags will also hold meetings with the President of the National Parliament, the leader of the main opposition party, UN representatives and civil society organizations.

Timor Leste has achieved the establishment of good relations with its regional neighbors, strengthening its young democracy, managing its oil and gas revenues prudently and achieving important progress in poverty reduction.

However, the government of Ramos-Horta is facing several other difficulties including high poverty levels, food shortage and youth unemployment. The EU designed the four-program aid package to support Timor Leste in addressing these issues.

These strategic programs are support to rural development for $32 million (€23 million); support to democratic governance for $14.6 million (€10.5 million); support to non-state actors for $5.5 million (€4 million); and technical Cooperation Facility for $2 million (€1.5 million).

Timor-Leste is one of the youngest countries in the world after becoming independent in 2002 following a 24-year period of conflict under Indonesian rule. The EU is one of the main donors in Timor-Leste, having made a significant contribution to the development of this country since 1999.

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