The European Commission announced Friday it will provide 1.4 billion euros to Afghanistan to be used over the next six years. The funds will mainly be used to assist with growth and social stability sectors including rural development and agriculture, health and "strengthening democracy in the country," the Delegation of the European Union to the United States said.
Known as the Multiannual Indicative Program, the program was signed in Washington, D.C., during the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
"This agreement is evidence of the European Union's continued long-term commitment to Afghanistan said European Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. "Our support is based on lessons learnt through our cooperation with the country and draws on the priorities signaled out by the national authorities. In short, the money will go where it is most needed and could be most effective. We expect these funds to create the conditions necessary to improve Afghan citizens' livelihoods, by creating jobs, further strengthening Afghanistan's institutions, and better enabling the population to have their say."
He added, "I welcome the formation of the Government of National Unity, which is an important step in securing the future of all Afghans. The EU looks forward to hearing the Government set out its reform program at the London Conference next month. In line with other donors, the EU will set aside 20 percent of its funding to incentivize those reforms."
Most of the money will be channeled through major trust funds administered by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program.
The EU provided examples of how it has already made a difference in the country, claiming to have increased access to primary health care by 9 percent since 2002, with basic services now provided to over five million Afghans.
Along with providing more than 9,000 children with access to non-formal education and recreation between 2006 and 2008, the EU also said it has implemented protective services of 40 percent of Afghan water services.
