EU donates 187 mln USD for Cambodian 2007 development

The European Union is expected to give Cambodia about 187 million U.S. dollars to help the country to improve social sectors which are critical for its development cooperation in 2007, an EU statement said on Thursday.

The aid will be used in economic cooperation, health, education and rural development, but the big focus is on the reduction of poverty, private sector development, administrative reform, decentralization and human rights, Winston Mc Colgan, the charge d 'affairs of EU to Cambodia, said in the statement.

"We are confident that the EU funding will contribute substantially to the Royal Government of Cambodia's efforts to develop the country," he said.

The plans of fund are detailed in the annual report about EU's development cooperation activities in Cambodia, known as the Blue Book, which was presented to Mr. Keat Chhon, Cambodian Minister of Economics and Finance, by German Ambassador H.E. Mr. Puis Fisher and Mr. Winston Mc Colgan, the statement said.

Keat Chhon was also presented with the EU road map for increasing aid effectiveness, it said, adding that the Blue Book and EU road map are part of the EU's efforts to increase aid harmonization and alignment through better coordination.

Source: Xinhua