Press Release: The EU renewed its commitment to foster peace and security in Somalia

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has announced that the EU stands ready to provide additional support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), following a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali.

The announcement comes ahead of an international conference on the future of Somalia that will take place on 23 February 2012 in London and is subject to UN Security Council endorsement of a strengthened AMISOM. The High Representative and Vice President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, will be in London to reaffirm that stabilising and developing Somalia, together with the African Union and international partners, is an EU priority.

The new commitment will contribute to the proposed increase in troop strength active in the African Union-led Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU aid covers costs such as troop allowances, medical care, housing, fuel, and communication equipment.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Speech/12/114: Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister of Somalia http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/12/114&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ESO: Background Information: Press Release: The EU provides additional support to security and peace in Somalia http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-eu-provides-additional-support-to-security-and-peace-in-somalia/

BBC News, 22.02.12: UN to bolster Somalia peacekeeping troops by 5,700 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17120912

UK: FCO: Global issues: London Conference on Somalia, 23.2.12 http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues/london-conference-somalia/

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