Republic of Burundi : The European Commission has signed the document on the strategic cooperation for the period 2003 - 2007

Brussels, September 9th, 2003.

The European Commission has signed the document on the strategic cooperation and the indicative programme for Burundi for the period 2003 - 2007. This document stands for the framework of cooperation between the European Community and Burundi. This strategy is designed with the main objective to support the efforts of the government of Burundi in its implementation of its poverty reduction policy and reconstruction of the country following 10 year civil war which has devastated it. The community's aid will be essentially directed to the rural development, good governance and to macro-economic support.
This strategy foresees the grant of 172 million euro to the title of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF).

The DSC has been prepared in conformity with principles of E.U. - ACP partnership stipulated in the Cotonou Agreement. The strategy has been designed in cooperation with the Government of Burundi. This strategy is accompanied by an indicative programme that will be funded by Euro 172 Million to the title of the 9th EDF, Euro 115 Million have been already planned. The remaining Euro 57 million will cover the unforeseen needs. The programmable funds will be concentrated on the following sectors :

Rural Development : The poverty rate in Burundi has gone up from 40 to 69 % between 1990 to 2001. More than 90 % of the population lives in the rural area. The activities will target the economic recovery in a bid improve the current hard living standards.The recovery of the agricultural sector which employs ¾ of the active population is envisaged as well as the diversification of productive activities. The other activities will include the rehabilitation of social infrastructures and the support to the rural health scheme with the aim to facilitate the resettlement of the displaced and refugee populations.

Good Governance : The main objective is to reinforce the peace restoration. The activities will include the institutional assistance to the Burundian administration, notably through the support to the provincial and communal services. The decentralization is a key element of the reform programme scheduled by the transitional government. The other activities include the support to disarmament and demobilization and the reintegration of the demobilized forces into the society.

Macro -economic support : The assistance will support the programme of macro-economic reforms of the government. A special attention will be paid to the promotion of the access of the poorest persons to the social services such as health, education and drinking water.

The other activities of less importance will include the support to the civil society in order to allow its participation to the country's development process and to the technical assistance.

Source : European Union press release

IBB-Infos / 11 September 2003
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