The Commission signs a EUR 205 million aid programme with the Democratic Republic of Congo
The European Commission has signed a €205 million aid programme with the Democratic Republic of Congo in implementation
of the Cotonou Agreement. The programme lays down the main guidelines for aid in 2003 and 2004.
At the signing Mr Poul Nielson, the member of the Commission responsible for development and humanitarian aid, said:
"This programme follows on the heels of the long-awaited inauguration of the interim government. The signing of this
document demonstrates the will of the European Commission to support the Democratic Republic of Congo throughout the
awkward transition to democracy and lasting peace both within its borders and throughout the Great Lakes region. Since
its inauguration the interim government has committed itself firmly to taking the country to the first free elections in
its history. In response to this commitment, the European Commission wants to make clear its intention to support the
government throughout this arduous task. I sincerely hope that Community aid will make a considerable contribution to
democratic change and constitutional reform, in line with the essential principles to which the country subscribed when
it signed the Cotonou Agreement."
The main aim of the aid programme is to help the country through its transition to democracy. The programme's key
components are health, debt relief, institutional support for democratisation, constitutional reform and the
strengthening of the rule of law.