18 June 2013, African Press Organisation, Brussels – European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, i discussing future cooperation between the EU and Zambia on renewable energy during his first ever visit to the country, June 18-20.
The commissioner will also discuss possible cooperation agreement which will promote access to sustainable energy in the country.
As a member of the ‘UN High Level Group on Sustainable Energy for All’, Piebalgs will attend an energy seminar, tagged ‘Seminar on Energy future of Zambia: Sustainable Energy Sources and Hydro Power Potential’, where he will express the strong support the EU intends to provide to Zambia’s energy sector.
He will also sign a new agreement to support smallholder farmers and promote agricultural conservation in Zambia.
Commissioner Piebalgs said: “In recent years, Zambia has made huge progress in development; particularly in mining and agriculture. Yet despite its remarkable economic growth, Zambia is one of the most unequal countries in the world.
“I hope that today’s agreements will help to make sure that from now on, the country’s growth benefits the whole population; not just the few.”
EU development cooperation with Zambia.
The EU is providing €489.7 million between 2008 and 2013 to Zambia. The main areas of cooperation include agriculture (conservation agriculture, nutrition, and private sector competitiveness), governance (democratic checks and balances, justice, economic governance) and energy (including improving access to clean and sustainable energy).
In addition, through the Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, the EU provides grant support of interest rate subsidies of €25 million on the European Investment Bank, EIB, loan, €13.7 million on the Agence Française de Développement, AFD, loan, and €1 million for EIB Technical Assistance to the Great East Road project.
