The European Union on Thursday signed an agreement with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at a meeting here, granting 101-million euros to the region over the next five years.
The agreement was signed by European Commissioner Poul Nielson and SADC executive secretary Preg Ramsamy at a two-day SADC-EU ministerial meeting that started Thursday in the Mozambique capital.
Nielson said the aid was part of a new programme of cooperation that should not only cement relations between the SADC and EU but also herald a new era of cooperation and dialogue between the two regions.
The funds will be used in southern Africa in the areas of economic integration, trade, transport and communications.
According to Ramsamy, between 35-million to 40-million euros will go towards economic development in SADC; 35-million to 45-million euros towards the development of transport and communications; and 20-million euros towards programmes that promote peace, security and the fight against HIV/Aids.
EU member states have long been partners to southern Africa, especially in providing development aid and technical assistance.
The SADC nations are: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, the Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. – Sapa-AFP