European Development Fund donates $16.8m for Tonga development [1]
Friday, May 25, 2007 - 09:30. Updated on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 - 11:23.
The Tongan Delegation to the ACP Council of Ministers Meeting in Brussels, led by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Authorizing Officer for the European Development Fund (EDF) to Tonga, the Hon. S Tu'a Taumoepeau Tupou, after meeting with the EU Head of the Pacific Division in Brussels, Mr. Valeriano Diaz and staff from the EU Pacific Division, confirmed the re-commitments of a total of Euro 6.1 million, equivalent to about TOP$ 16.8 million from the European Development Funds (EDF) towards the followings;
- Euro 1.8 million (equivalent to about TOP$ 5 million) to meet Government of Tonga's contribution and co-fund with the ADB of the Nuku'alofa Urban Development Planning Project;
- Euro 2.5 million (about TOP$ 7 million) for the STABEX Framework of Mutual Obligation (FMO) negotiated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food;
- Euro 1.1 million (about TOP$ 3 million) for Tonga's specific use under the SOPAC Multi-country Disaster Preparedness Project to ensure adequate provision of quality water to those rural and outer islands of Tonga;
- Euro 500,000 (about TOP$ 1.4 million) for a technical cooperation facility (TCF) to assist the Office of the National Authorizing Officer to ensure effective implementation of the EU National Indicative Program including civic education and awareness program requested by the Prime Minister's Office;
- Euro 145,000 (about TOP$ 400,000) towards a Rider for the Vava'u Social Sector Support Program (VSSSP) Program Estimate 3 (PE3).
The EC funding support re-committed above will be implemented to the terms and conditions negotiated under their respective Financing Agreements, between the EU and the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) in consultation with the recipient Ministry and organizations.
The meeting also confirmed the additional resource envelope under the Country Strategy Paper for the upcoming 10th EDF for the period 2008 - 2012 to the tune of Euro 4.7 million towards her National Indicative Program (NIP), equivalent to over TOP$13 million. Other additional EDF resources outside the NIP for the 10th EDF including the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) and the Incentive Tranche are yet to be confirmed. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24/05/07.