EUROPEAN UNION LAUNCHES 2015 YEAR FOR DEVELOPMENT

The European Union launched the European Year for Development 2015 on January 9 this year.
It aims to inform and engage Europeans in the debate on its development cooperation to developing nations worldwide, including Papua New Guinea.
PNG has benefited over the period 2008 to 2014 development aid from European Union in excess of 105 million Euro or 351 million Kina in the areas of agriculture, education, trade, human rights, gender, and governance .
PNG is by far the largest recipient of EU cooperation aid in the Pacific region with approximately 184 million Euro or 550 million Kina earmarked for the next five years.
EU has been strongly committed to improve aid effectiveness and continues to focus on strengthening aid, trade and political relations with PNG and in the Pacific Region.
EU Ambassador Martin Dihm says the European Union is working to be a close and reliable partner in supporting the people of PNG in the political, social, and economic development.
Ambassador Dihm says 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.