EU launches €400 partnership programme
THE European Union has launched the Africa-EU partnership programme to promote greener and climate smart agriculture, as well as gender equality and women empowerment, which will see Zimbabwe getting €400 million in financial support.
Speaking at the launch of the project dubbed “Team Europe” on Tuesday; EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchmann said the initiative showed EU’s commitment to help build stable relations between Harare and the European bloc.
“The motto of the campaign we launch today is Zimbabwe and the European Union, Together — Tomorrow. Today, through this campaign, the EU would like to reiterate its ambition and commitment for a constructive relationship with Zimbabwe based on areas of common interest,” Kirchmann said.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minster Monica Mutsvangwa said the initiative would help restore the relationship between Zimbabwe and the EU to normalcy.
“Such a noble initiative is a clear testimony of the continuous and sustainable improvement of relations between Zimbabwe and the EU. Indeed, we are excited to see Zimbabwe and EU making strides in ensuring that positive relations are restored to normalcy through diplomacy, dialogue and initiatives of common interest to support our communities,” Mutsvangwa said.
The campaign will see the EU, the EU member States and Switzerland supporting Zimbabwe’s vision 2030 with over €400 million for the next two years.
Under its Zimbabwe National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) and Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) policies, government’s efforts to “climate-proof” its agricultural sector are already on-going through CSA investments and policy actions for a more productive, resilient, greener and low-emissions agricultural sector.
“Since these are common priorities for Zimbabwe and the European Union, the “Team Europe” is fully committed to supporting the achievement of these goals. Through its long-term partnership with Zimbabwe, the “Team Europe” works and engages with the government in various programmes to support a “greener” increase of agricultural productivity while addressing the climate related vulnerabilities of the country and building the resilience of communities,” the EU said.-newsday
