EU: PNG used up K351m in grants

 over a six year period Papua New Guinea has benefited from an European aid of more than K351 million (€105m) in the areas of agriculture, education, trade, human rights, gender, and governance.

EU Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Martin Dihm said PNG was the largest recipient of EU co-operation aid in the Pacific region with approximately EUR 184 million or K550 million earmarked for the next five years. 

He said: “The EU has been strongly committed to improve aid effectiveness and continues to focus on strengthening aid, trade and political relations with Papua New Guinea and more generally the Pacific region.

 “The European Union works to be a close and reliable partner in supporting Papua New Guinea people in political, social and economic development.”

The European Union (EU)  recently launched its ‘European Year for Development 2015’ aimed to inform and engage Europeans in the debate on its development cooperation to developing nations worldwide, including PNG.

Dihm said “The European Year for Development 2015 showcases the strong commitment of the EU and its Member States to eradicating poverty worldwide amongst Europe’s citizens. 

“It will be an opportunity to put a focus on Papua New Guinea and explain how European aid has helped to improve the daily lives of the people.”

The EU and its member states in Papua New Guinea, mainly France and the United Kingdom, but Austria, Germany, Finland or the Netherlands, provide development and humanitarian assistance to PNG in a co-ordinated and complementary manner to the Government and people’s need of Papua New Guinea.

This is the first ever European Year to focus on external relations and international cooperation.