EU`s 20m aid to boost rural growth
The European Union has allocated 20 million euros
under a financial assistance program aiming to diversify the
economy of Azerbaijan through support to agricultural and rural
development, according to the EU delegation in Azerbaijan.
"With this program, the EU assists Azerbaijan in carefully developing sound growth opportunities in the non-oil economy and to achieve sustainable reductions in poverty, thus addressing consequences of the country`s known limited oil and gas reserves and overall economic growth," says a press release from the European Commission.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighborhood Policy, said diversification of the economy is paramount for the long term development of Azerbaijan, in view of creating a basis for sustainable economic growth and employment and reducing inequalities between the regions and among the Azerbaijani population.
"I am pleased to note that diversification of the economy, including promotion of sustainable agricultural and rural development, has gained importance for the Azerbaijani government. The European Commission wants to build on this positive momentum."
With this allocation, the EU intends to increase access to safe quality food and stabilize food supply. In addition, it encourages entrepreneurship in the field of agricultural and rural development by improving business environment and institutional capacity.
It is linked to the objectives of the State Program on Reliable Food Supply recently approved by the government. The program`s focus is to reduce the dependence of the domestic food market from imports and to create food reserves by increasing agricultural productivity in specific areas where Azerbaijan enjoys a comparative advantage.
Of the €20m, €14m are reserved for the agricultural and rural development support program and €6m to strengthen the capacity of the Azerbaijani administration for continuing the implementation of the ENP Action Plan as well as the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which have both been agreed between the Azerbaijani government and the EU in 2006 and 1996 respectively.
This €20m allocation is provided through the EU`s European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), which sets aside assistance funds annually to Azerbaijan and 16 other partner states along the EU`s Eastern and Southern border. Azerbaijan has received similar allocations in previous years, supporting for example reform of the justice system and of the energy sector. The allocations from the ENPI are the main source of EU assistance for the partner states along the Eastern border of the EU and the Mediterranean. In addition to ENPI assistance funds, Azerbaijan also receives support from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and other programs.
"With this program, the EU assists Azerbaijan in carefully developing sound growth opportunities in the non-oil economy and to achieve sustainable reductions in poverty, thus addressing consequences of the country`s known limited oil and gas reserves and overall economic growth," says a press release from the European Commission.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighborhood Policy, said diversification of the economy is paramount for the long term development of Azerbaijan, in view of creating a basis for sustainable economic growth and employment and reducing inequalities between the regions and among the Azerbaijani population.
"I am pleased to note that diversification of the economy, including promotion of sustainable agricultural and rural development, has gained importance for the Azerbaijani government. The European Commission wants to build on this positive momentum."
With this allocation, the EU intends to increase access to safe quality food and stabilize food supply. In addition, it encourages entrepreneurship in the field of agricultural and rural development by improving business environment and institutional capacity.
It is linked to the objectives of the State Program on Reliable Food Supply recently approved by the government. The program`s focus is to reduce the dependence of the domestic food market from imports and to create food reserves by increasing agricultural productivity in specific areas where Azerbaijan enjoys a comparative advantage.
Of the €20m, €14m are reserved for the agricultural and rural development support program and €6m to strengthen the capacity of the Azerbaijani administration for continuing the implementation of the ENP Action Plan as well as the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which have both been agreed between the Azerbaijani government and the EU in 2006 and 1996 respectively.
This €20m allocation is provided through the EU`s European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), which sets aside assistance funds annually to Azerbaijan and 16 other partner states along the EU`s Eastern and Southern border. Azerbaijan has received similar allocations in previous years, supporting for example reform of the justice system and of the energy sector. The allocations from the ENPI are the main source of EU assistance for the partner states along the Eastern border of the EU and the Mediterranean. In addition to ENPI assistance funds, Azerbaijan also receives support from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and other programs.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!