The European Union (EU) will strengthen economic cooperation with Ivory-Coast in 2015 with a financial contribution of almost € 60 million per year for five years. The information was given by the new ambassador of the European Union in Ivory-Coast, Mr. Jean-François Valette, after an appointment with the Ivorian Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Daniel Kablan Duncan last week in Abidjan.
“For the EU alone, we will continue to spend approximately € 60 million per year for the next five years in important areas. That is to say, the administration of the State, the restoration of state presence in the various areas, “noted the Ambassador of the European Union.
In the field of this new partnership, the EU ambassador has indicated that those investments will involve the Ministry of Interior, civil security, justice and electricity. He added: “The Prime Minister reminded me that these are indeed strategic sectors for Ivory-coast in which investments with major partners are already provided and therefore we will organize ourselves in these areas “.
In addition, for him, the rural land area is of a great concern to the EU. Because, he says, we must allow people to have a land title. This is a complicated subject, but this is a subject on which we will roll up our sleeves. And we hope that in four years this issue will make significant progress for the best of the affected farmers, but also a lot of progress for the Ivorian economy. The electricity sector is considered strategic for the Ivory Coast and is also counted in the investment portfolio.
Mr. Jean-François Valette recalled that the European Union and Ivory Coast are in a new phase of relationships. “Things have calmed down. Ivoirians are back to what has always been their wisdom and will live together for a common future. I believe that the next presidential election will confirm it. Anyway, that’s what we all want. What we have seen is that confidence is needed, this peaceful climate, extend and grow, “he explained.