EU CooperationThe Gambia-

JULY - AUGUST EDITION, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: THE NATIONAL AUTHORISING OFFICER SUPPORT UNIT (NAOSU)Tel: (+220) 439 9626/5 or Email: info@gambia-ec.gm | DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE GAMBIA

74, Atlantic Road Fajara, P.O. Box 512, Banjul, The Gambia. Tel: +220 4495 146 / 4497 846. Website: www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/gambia/index_en.htm

A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE GAMBIA - EU COOPERATION.

Inception Workshop of the EU funded MDG 1c project

EEAS, Managing Director for Africa meets with the President of The Gambia

“We raised most of the issues that have been a cause of problems before and we reached an understanding. Aside from that, questions were also asked and the political dialogue will continue. So we were able to have an honest and frank exchange of views with His Excellency the President on a whole range of topics in the presence of a number of ministers who also attended the meeting.” Mr. Nicholas Westcott, Managing Director for Africa, European External Action Service (EEAS).

“At the 2010 UN conference the European Commission announced the establishment of a 1 billion Euro fund, called the MDG Initiative, to help countries like the Gambia which were falling behind in attempts to achieve their MDGs. Earlier this year, the EU signed a financing agreement with the Government of the Gambia for 7.6 million Euro (approximately Dalasi 380 million) for an MDG Initiative project to ‘improve food security through crop production intensification and school feeding programme”. EU Chargée d’ Affaires a.i., Mme Agnès Guillaud

“I have to register on behalf the Government of The Gambia under the leadership of His Excellency The President of The Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alhagi Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, our sincere appreciation of this intervention being supported by the European Union and the United Nations Systems”. Mrs Ada Gaye, PS, Ministry of Agriculture

On the 8th of July, Mr. Nicholas Westcott, Managing Director for Africa, European External Action Service (EEAS) paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhagi Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of the Gambia at State House in Banjul.

The meeting with the Gambian leader was just days before the resumption of the political dialogue with the EU. The top EU diplomat informed the media that both sides had agreed to resume the political dialogue in the best interest of The Gambia.

On the 31st July 2013, the Food and Agricultural Organisation organised a two day inception workshop on the EU funded MDG 1c project. The workshop, which brought together key stakeholders, intended to discuss the MDG 1c Improving food security through crop production intensification and school feeding programme.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the project will enhance the ability of participating households to increase the productivity of their farm with the potentials of producing in excess of their consumption requirements.

This initiative is in line with the Gambia development blue prints namely; the PAGE and the Gambia National Agriculture Investment Programme (GNAIP) as well as with Pillar 3 of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).

Dr Babagana Ahmadu, FAO Country Representative asserted that the FAO’s role in the MDG 1c project is in line with its mandate which is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, and better the lives of rural populations while contributing to the growth of the world economy.

The combination of the two components of the project (production enhancement and marketing and school feeding programme) will set the grounds towards meeting MDG1c by improving crop production and availability and by establishing a country-wide safety net for poorer families, thus improving food security and enhancing the nutritional status of children in The Gambia.

Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ada Gaye, on behalf of the Government of The Gambia thanked the EU for such an important project.

Mr. Westcott further disclosed that they also discussed an array of other issues such as regional security, governance and human rights issues, adding that all of these are to be pursued in the dialogue.

Mr. Nicholas Westcott talking to journalists at the State House

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Mr. Nicholas Westcott, Managing Director for Africa, European External Action Service (EEAS) meeting with H.E, The President of The Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alhagi Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh

EU CooperationThe Gambia-

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EU-Gambia political dialogue resumed

The eighth Article 8 political dialogue meeting took place between The Gambia and the EU on July 11th 2013. “Article 8” refers to the political dimension of the Cotonou Agreement, the legal framework agreement covering political, development and trade relations between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries; of which The Gambia is a signatory. The dialogue, organized normally twice a year, offers a platform for consultations over a broad range of issues, as well as an opportunity to take stock of progress made concerning ‘essential elements’ of the Cotonou Agreement.

The EU welcomed The Gambia’s agreement to resume the dialogue. A full range of issues of mutual concern have been discussed; such as: Security challenges in the region; Consequences of the introduction of bio-metric data for Schengen visas; The political and economic situation in both the EU and The Gambia, including governance and human rights issues as laid down in the essential elements of the Cotonou Agreement; and EU assistance.

The Gambia was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Susan Waffa Ogoo, the Minister of the Interior, Ousman Sonko, the then Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Abdou Kolley, the Minister of Justice & Attorney General, Amie Joof, the Minister of Information & Communication Infrastructure, Mr Nana Grey- Johnson and the Ambassador of The Gambia to the EU and BENELUX, H.E Mamour A. Jagne among others.

The EU was represented by the local EU Presidency and British High Commissioner David Morley, EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to The Gambia and Senegal, Dominique Dellicour, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. EU Delegation to The Gambia, Agnès Guillaud, Ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands; and representatives of Germany, Spain and France.

The Republic of The Gambia and the European Union on the 24th July 2013 launched the EU funded Drainage, Sanitation & Waste Management project worth €1.9 million at a ceremony in Bundung.

The project aims to improve the living conditions and health of the most vulnerable population by mitigating the impact of heavy rains. The proposed interventions of the project will focus on improving the drainage system and on the creation of essential facilities such as new culverts, upgrade of fences, removal of waste dump sites, new earth ditches, and new improved pit latrines. The project will focus on 7 “hot spots” (Banjul, Barra, Bundung, Brikama, Soma, Bansang and Basse).

In parallel to the construction works, the communities will be trained and sensitized to maintain anti-flood facilities, waste management and hygiene practices, so as to sustain the interventions and improve efficiency in emergency interventions in case of future flooding.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Programme Coordinator of the NAO Support Unit, Mr Malang Nyass, informed the gathering that the project was funded by the EU within the framework of the National Indicative Programme(NIP) under the B- Envelope of

the 10th EDF. Acting Managing Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the lord Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), the Alkalo of Bundung, the WFP country representative, Mrs Victoria Ginja, government officials, beneficiaries and a cross section of the community were all present at the launching of the project.

Kanifing Municipal Council provided the equipment for the cleansing exercise organised by IT Transport Limited & Cityscape associates.

€1.9 Million Drainage, Sanitation & Waste Management

Project launched

“I am convinced that with close collaboration of the National Disaster Management Agency, with the technical assistance of the WFP and with the leadership and good example provided by Mayors, Ward Councillors and Alkalos, the communities of all 7 hotspots will be successfully trained and sensitized on the importance of regular drainage cleansing exercises. It is crucial to understand that this project is worth little without the involvement and help of the communities affected almost every year by flooding”. EU Chargée d’ Affaires a.i., Mme Agnès Guillaud.