ACP countries set to get €31.5b EU aid

The European Union by the end of this week is expected to announce a €31.5 billion aid for countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region.

Ministers from the EU and ACP are expected to approve the facility at a two-day meeting in Brussels after which a statement will be issued, the EU said June 6, 2013.

“The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)-EU Council of Ministers is expected to approve that €31.5 billion, will be allocated to EU development cooperation with the ACP region between 2014 – 2020,” it said.

Once the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) is signed and ratified, the statement indicated that the European Commission and ACP countries will proceed with the programming of funds in line with ACP strategies and the changing development needs in the region.

The EU said it will also take the opportunity to exchange views with the ACP group on the post-2015 framework, as well as trade, nutrition and the private sector.

By Ekow Quandzie