EU provides 474 million euros to Afghanistan
The European Commission said late Tuesday it is
providing 474 million euros ($535 million) worth of financial aid to
Afghanistan to support the country's reconstruction, Khaama Press reported.
The commission said in a press release that an
agreement on the financial package was signed by European Commissioner for
International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica and Afghan Minister of
Finance Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi at the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan.
It said the funds are expected to support state
building, public sector reforms, the health sector, justice reforms and
preparation for elections and to address migration and displacement challenges
in the country.
"The EU stands side by side with Afghanistan
and its people to build a stronger future for the country," Mimica said.
According to the deal, a major part of the amount --
311 million euros -- will be allocated to state building, while 31 million
euros will be earmarked for justice reform, 80 million euros for health and
nutrition, 15 million euros will support both presidential and provincial
council elections in 2019 and the remaining 37 million euros will be spent on
migration and forced displacement.
