European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen vowed continuing
support to the Mindanao peace process.
"The European Union is impressed by the fact that the
government's and the MILF's commitment to the peace process despite the delay
of the adoption of the Bangsamoro Basic Law has not changed", Ambassador
Jessen said, "and inspired with this firm resolve to peace, the EU's
eagerness and readiness to support the calls for a negotiated political
settlement in Mindanao remains".
Meeting the press, the EU ambassador announced that he will
visit Cotabato for the first time from 11 to 12 December 2015 to meet with
peace stakeholders and to express the EU's continuous support.
Ambassador Jessen said that despite the challenges
encountered, the EU has decided to increase its funding to support peace and
development in Mindanao . The EU remains one of
the biggest foreign donors providing aid to Mindanao
through a comprehensive approach supporting the political settlement and
supporting longer term development.
Mindanao is expected to benefit from two focal sectors
identified in the EU development strategy for the Philippines
In parallel, the European Union has launched a new programme
in support of the peace process and is providing € 5.5 m (Php 275 million) to
allow for a smooth transition and to create conditions for the establishment of
the autonomous region of the Bangsamoro and the election of its government.
The programme will contribute to peace building and conflict
mitigation, support the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on
Bangsamoro and strengthen local institutions and political processes.
The grants are being channelled through the Non Violent
Peace Forces, NGO Fondation Suisse de Deminage, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, United
Nations Development Programme and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=836255
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