France increases funding to Yemen by fourfold [Archives:2007/1027/Local News]
SANA'A, Feb. 20 ) The French government announced Monday that it will increase by fourfold the support it pledged to Yemen at last November's London Donors Conference.
The declaration was made by French Cooperation and Development Minister Brigitte Girardin during a Monday meeting in Paris with Yemen's ambassador to France, Amir Al-Aidarous.
Both diplomats discussed the ties of mutual cooperation between the two countries, the means of developing bilateral relations and aspects of French support for Yemen's development. Girardin emphasized that her government cares about developing and enhancing its ties with Yemen, as well as increasing funds for Yemeni development projects.
In a statement to Yemen's Saba News Agency following the meeting, Al-Aidarous said the French government's decision to increase its support to Yemen fourfold is the fruit of successful discussions between Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his French counterpart during the president's visit to Paris last November.
The Yemeni envoy clarified that Yemeni-French cooperation ties are experiencing rapid development and are due to become stronger and deeper in coming days thanks to the interest and enthusiasm of both leaders to make their nations prosper in various political, economic, trade and investment areas.
Al-Aidarous announced that Girardin will make an official visit to Yemen March 6-8 to meet with Yemeni ministers and officials in concerned organizations. She also plans to discuss with them the means of developing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
He pointed out that Girardin is due to sign an agreement with Yemeni officials regarding increasing by fourfold the French government's support for Yemeni development during her impending visit. Additionally, she's expected to ink other agreements to fund several new development projects in Yemen.
The Yemeni ambassador further revealed that the French Agency for International Development will open an office in Sana'a with the aim of increasing its support for Yemen and developing areas of cooperation between the two friendly nations.
He indicated that the agency has vast financial resources and several offices in French-speaking countries. In the recent past, it has exercised activities in Yemen via its office in the Horn of Africa.
In a statement to 26September.net, Yemeni Minister of Planning and International Development Abdul Kareem Al-Arhabi noted, “During her two-day visit, the French cooperation and development minister is expected to sign an agreement of partnership between Yemen and France for the period 2007 to 2011.”
Al-Arhabi added that Girardin will discuss with the Yemeni government the top areas of priority regarding funding needs within the next five years. He noted that current French funding for Yemen may amount to $8 million.
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