Press Release: Central African Republic: the European Commission launches a major programme to support governance and the opening-up of the country

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, is visiting the Central African Republic (CAR) from 6 to 8 March 2007 to take stock of the security situation, promote political stabilisation in the country and obtain commitments from the government in the matter of governance. While there he will sign two financing agreements: one concerns €55 million for a comprehensive programme of institutional support and measures to open up the country, including the construction of a section of the Bouar-Garoua Boulai road, and the other €13.6 million for a programme to reduce multilateral and domestic arrears. These two operations make the Commission the CAR’s biggest donor. Louis Michel will be meeting the country’s president, prime minister, ministers and representatives of civil society. He will also visit the Kaga Bandoro camp. Mr Michel’s mission is a sign of the enhanced political dialogue between the Commission and the CAR, a fragile, landlocked state experiencing security problems and the regional repercussions of the Darfur crisis.

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