Zambia and the European Union have held talks on future Strategic Partnership, and negotiated the 11th European Development Fund Programme whereby the European Union has pledged Euro 484 million [K3.63 billion] support to Zambia between 2014 and 2020.
The discussions and negotiations were held on the sidelines of the East, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region – European Development Fund (EDF) Programing Seminar recently held in Brussels Belgium.
Outgoing Deputy Minister of Finance Keith Mukata headed the Zambian delegation while the EU was represented by Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs and EU Ambassador to Zambia Gilles Hervio.
The cooperation will focus on energy, agriculture and governance. In the energy sector the proposed support is expected to compliment the resource requirements for rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam, and the promotion of technology transfer through solar power projects, as an alternative household energy source aimed to replacing charcoal and firewood.
Commenting on the matter, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda has said the initiative for an expansive solar energy programme is consistent with the Zambian Government’s effort to combat deforestation.
“In the agriculture sector, Zambia will benefit through programs aimed at strengthening the provision of nutrition, animal vaccine production, fisheries and conservation farming,” the Minister added.
With respect to Governance, the EU plans to offer financial support through Sector Budget Support to the Public Financial Management Programme in order to strengthen accountability of public institutions.
The European Development Fund also proposes to contribute to various on-going programs such as Support to Electoral Commission as well as the Access to Justice Project.
Zambia has also been picked as a destination for the 2014 Regional Meeting on strengthening private sector gains from EU Cooperation.
EU Ambassador to Zambia Gilles Hervio has commended the outcome of the bilateral talks held in Belgium and in addition expressed the EU’s desire for stronger cooperation with Zambia.
What a waste that would be,most of the money would be pocketed or misused like in the past.
This is a vote of confidence in the PF govt of Michael Sata. Thanks EU, keep it up.
Our blessed nation!
I don’t understand the multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors. They are on record to have held back their financial support to countries that exhibit failing human rights and undemocratic tendencies. They only turn a blind eye to such in countries where they have something to gain that is indispensable to them such as oil. Therefore I get really suspicious that the EU can be signing an agreement to pump millions of euros into Zambia when currently the governance and human rights record is at an all time low for the last two decades. Is some other discussion taking place behind closed doors? I have got a feeling will be getting some surprising revelations soon…. a price we will be paying for this EU donor support. The issue of gay rights comes to mind. Let’s wait and see
Which human rights are you talking about? Opposition are having rallies, freely oppose on radio and TV stations, critical newspapers like Daily Nation operate freely. What more do you want? All these rights should be exercised without injuring the rights of other citizens, defaming others. There are laws to govern all these rights.
@bra , when people blog like you I get concerned as to weather we are blogging with Zambians or others,if you are a Zambian you should be happy even when HH tells you to blogg to the contrary,Governance, human rights and media freedoms are well looked after in Zambia hence the appreciation from most doners,more help is coming next week .noah is calling dont die with hate the rain is approaching.
Thats is an Insult? How can a country be given such little money sure US$480 MILLION ONLY THATS IS DROP IN THE OCEAN AND ALSO PETTY CASH FOR OBAMA. WE NEED TO REJECT THE OFFER
Half a loaf is better.
You deserve nothing!!!!!!!
Ambassador Hervio has always been a great friend to the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise from the time he replaced Dr Derek Fee who left in December, 2010. I whole-heartedly congratulate him for making all this possible. Pretty soon my homeland will be a beautiful as France his home nation and my village will be looking more like Nice, in south-east France my favorite vacation spot in Europe.
#blabla, am with you. i think EU still want to push the gay rights issue on the table. nothing for free. Zambia now has worse human rights violations & needs more isolation. the money is just a gay rights sweetener.
Congratulations PF for managing to impress the doners with your project managemnt and governance.with a little fine tunning we as a country will be heading for great heights.Noah is still holding doors open before the storm approaches,Jay jay,Ndobo & others jump in or you remain swimming until 2021.I just got in,am helping with guidance while in here.
Which human rights abuse are u talking about, u shameless liers?U have mo freedoms than at anytime in the Zambian history.By theway,do u think the Eu is on planet Jupiter where they may not see what happens in Zambia?Pf show them!