Niger/Niamey: Mrs. Jutta URPILAINEN of the EU discusses the partnership between her institution and Niger with the country's authorities (Press release)

The European Commissioner in charge of international partnerships, Ms. Jutta URPILAINEN, visited Niger this Tuesday, March 29, 2022, the first step of her trip to West Africa, reports a statement from the institution's representation in Niger.

This visit to Niger was an opportunity for Commissioner URPILAINEN, accompanied by the EU Special Representative for the Sahel, Ms. Emanuela Claudia DEL RE, ''to reaffirm the solidity of the partnership between the European Union and Niger, and also to launch the implementation of the multi-annual programming with the launch of several projects in key areas. of the partnership between the European Union and Niger, and also to launch the implementation of the multi-annual programming with the launch of several projects in key areas,'' the statement said.

It also allowed, according to the same statement, to discuss with President Mohamed Bazoum the issue of ''the impact of the war in Ukraine and the need to protect the environment''.impact of the war in Ukraine and its impact on security and food prices, as well as key issues of partnership between the European Union and Niger.

According to the European document, these are "support for stability and security in Niger and in the region, as well as the development of human capital and the promotion of economic growth.velopment of human capital and support for sustainable, inclusive and digital growth in accordance with the priorities of the "Global Gateway" strategy.

In these times of instability, we need strong partnerships anchored in shared values more than ever. We also need quality investments, both in infrastructure and in human capital, to support the efforts of our African partners for sustainable development'' said Ms. URPILAINEN reported by the EU press release.This is the meaning of our Global Gateway strategy and its first concrete translation into a Global Gateway investment plan for Africa, presented during the European Union-African Union Summit.

According to the European diplomat, as reported in the press release, "with Global Gateway, the European Union wants to remain Niger's partner of choice.

I had the honor to launch today a new cycle of cooperation that will consolidate the privileged relationship between the European Union and Niger'' said Commissioner URPILAINEN.

The communiqué notes that the agreement for this new cycle was initialled in Niamey by Commissioner URPILAINEN and Niger's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Hassoumi Massoudou, in the presence of the ambassadors of the EU Member States.

The Annual Action Program emanating from this agreement is part of the "Global Gateway" strategy, and has a total contribution of 300 million euros (196,787,100,000 CFA) to support and promote the common priorities of the Niger-EU partnership. It includes three main areas of cooperation.

It also includes a contract for Resilience and Reconstruction with a budget support program of 195 million euros (127,911,615,000 CFA) to "strengthen institutions and support the reform program in Niger. This program is centered around key reforms related to the Integrated Sahel Strategy and the mutual accountability approach, a Three Borders Nexus project to support the presence of the United Nations in Niger, and the development of a national strategy to combat poverty.This program is centered around key reforms related to the Sahel Integrated Strategy and the mutual accountability approach, a Nexus Trois Frontières project to support the presence of the state and strengthened local governance as well as security and socio-economic services for the benefit of the population.

There is also a project to support education and job creation to create opportunities for youth, especially girls and women.

The Annual Action Program also includes a technical cooperation facility (5 million euros, or 3,279,785,000 CFA), allowing for cross-cutting support to Niger-European Union cooperation.These projects are part of the Team Europe Initiatives in Niger, entitled "Governance Peace Law" and "Niger Generation Future".

Commissioner URPILAINEN's visit to Niger also enabled the EU delegation to visit a Misola enriched flour production unit and to share its concern about the food and nutrition crisis currently prevailing in the region.

On this occasion, it announced that an important event on food and nutrition in the Sahel will be held in Paris on April 3, in which President Bazoum will take part.

The communiqué notes, finally, that the mission visited the Hima Yankori secondary school and participated in a round table on governance.

Source: www.anp.ne