The EU pledged 12 million Euros (US $12.9 million) on Thursday to back peace initiatives by the newly formed African Union (AU). The money will be used to boost attempts at conflict resolution in Africa.
European Commissioner Poul Nielson said the funds marked the start of an excellent relationship between the EU and AU. “The African Union has provided a well structured platform for better collaboration and cooperation with the European union,” Nielson said at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. “Hence this grant is a vote of confidence and the beginning of a wonderful relationship between the European Union and African Union.”
Some 10 million Euros ($10.8 million) will be used to back AU plans for peace and security negotiations, and crisis resolution on the war-torn continent. The remainder will be used for “institutional support” for the AU which Nielson said had seen some “positive changes”.
Amara Essy, interim head of the AU, said that peace and security had been at the heart of Africa’s “liberation struggle” but that economic and social development was also vital.
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