EU Includes Yemen in Media Program [Archives:2000/47/Business & Economy]

Mahyoub Al-Kamali
Yemeni-European relations are developing good cooperation positively reflected in the EU member states attitude in support of the Yemens ongoing economic and financial reforms. Yemen, as a developing country needs, at this phase of transformation towards the market economy , support of donor countries mainly Germany, Holland, Belgium and France.
European Investment Bank has signed with Yemen a memorandum to contribute to projects financing. This agreement will be implemented with funds amounting to $ 62,000,000 to be spent on modernizing Sanaa International Airport and to improve its facilities to meet the big increase movement in passenger traffic.
In appreciation by European countries of Yemens government financial and economic reforms being carried out since 1995, the European Union decided that from 2001 to have Yemen included in a European Financial Basket allocated for the Mediterranean countries.
According to the European program, called the Financial Basket, Yemen will obtain large financial funds for development projects, not available before.
The European Union decided to open an embassy in Sanaa in 2001 to supervise carrying out the new projects and to support coordination with the Yemeni government to consolidate development, political, cultural, and economic cooperation.
With European aids, Yemen would find opportunities for funding projects in infrastructure, health, education, developing job opportunities and reducing unemployment rates.
The latest visit to Yemen by Mr. James Moran, the European Union Regional Representative, has helped consolidate ties relating to the of Yemeni-European cooperation. It has contributed to EU member states understanding of reforming Yemeni economic situations and envisaging of future support.
In the light of globalization data and development, as well as the free transfer of trade and capitals, Yemen ua in great need of European assistance especially in implementing projects related to fighting poverty.
Germany is one of the most important EU countries in this field. It has been contributing to updating human and economic development process in Yemen. According to official figures, Germany has in the field of technical and financial cooperation offered Yemen with 2,23 billion marks in assistance. Germany is also offering other aid to Yemen via the EU, World Bank and the UN with the purpose of funding development projects in Yemeni governorate. In Yemen, there are six German technical and consultative firms for supporting German-financed projects, particularly in developing agriculture, vocational training, health, water and sanitation, education plus supporting womens participation in decision-making.
European donor countries aided Yemen in re-scheduling its foreign debts by exempting it from a large portion of the outstanding loans. this decision was taken in meetings of EU members in Paris Club.
Holland, too, offers Yemen substantial aids. It is the second biggest EU donor state supporting economic reforms and developing the civil society of Yemen. Its aids earmarked for the current activities in Yemen are to the tune of 60 million guilders in the field of water and public health, 14 million guilders for environment protection, 60 million guilders for health and housing, 25 million guilders for education and training, 10 million guilders for womens projects, 23 million guilders for agriculture, 10 million guilders for culture and more than 10 million guilders for supporting other projects. These figures and other French, Spanish, Italian and British assistance and aid reflect that the Yemeni-European relationships are progressing steadily from strength to strength.

——
[archive-e:47-v:2000-y:2000-d:2000-11-20-p:./2000/iss47/b&e.htm]