Press Release: EU increases development support to Nepal and Bhutan

European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, announced on the 17 October 2014 that the EU development programmes for Nepal and Bhutan will triple in the 2014-2020 period in comparison with the allocation from the previous years. This commitment showed the EU had taken note of the efforts both countries had made to fight poverty and implement constitutional reforms.

Commissioner Piebalgs started on the 18 October 2014 a visit to both countries, starting in Nepal. EU support for this country will amount to €360 million; and it will focus on sectors such as education, sustainable rural development and strengthening democracy. For Bhutan, the EU will provide a €42 million package and will aim to strengthening of civil society, supporting local governance and developing sustainable rural livelihoods by e.g. enhancing food and nutrition security and generating employment opportunities.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/596: EU development cooperation with Bhutan http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-596_en.htm

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/595: EU development cooperation with Nepal http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-595_en.htm

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