European Development Fund for Tonga [1]
Thursday, August 2, 2007 - 14:40. Updated on Sunday, June 15, 2014 - 20:12.
During the occasion of the presentation of credentials of HE Dr. S. Ngongo Kioa, High Commissioner to London and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the European Commission (EC) to the President of EC, HE Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, on 11th July 2007, the good relations and strengthened partnership between Tonga and the EU were confirmed having regard to Tonga...s improved governance commitments and satisfactory progress of the implementation of the European Development Fund (EDF) to Tonga as follows;
9th EDF (2002-07): The re-commitments of a total of Euro 6.1 million, equivalent to around TOP$ 16.8 million from the European Development Funds (EDF) will be ready for disbursement in September 2007. They include; Euro 1.8 million (equivalent to about TOP$ 5 million) to meet Government of Tonga...s contribution to the ADB of the Nuku'alofa Urban Development Planning Project; Euro 2.5 million (about TOP$ 7 million) for the STABEX 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; and Euro 500,000 (about TOP$ 1.4 million) for a technical cooperation facility (TCF) and Euro 145,000 (about TOP$ 400,000) towards a Rider for the Vava...u Social Sector Support Program (VSSSP).
10th EDF (2008-13): Owing to the significant improvement in Tonga's governance commitments, Tonga as a result has been upgraded to the top of the performance category along with good performing Pacific countries resulting in an announced increase to Tonga's National Indicative Program (NIP) for the 10th EDF from Euro 4.7 million proposed in January 2007 to an increased total National Indicative Program of Euro 6.8 million (equivalent to around TOP$ 19.3 million) for the new 10th EDF. They include;
- Euro 5.9 million (equivalent to TOP$ 16.7 million) for Envelope-A focusing on renewable energy for development and sustainable livelihood; Tonga welcome the increased Envelope-A for the 10th EDF by Euro 1.2 million (increase equivalent to TOP$ 3.4 million);
- Euro 0.9 million (equivalent to TOP$ 2.6 million) for Envelope-B targeting emergency reconstructions. If this allocation runs out in two years, Tonga can still request for top-ups of another Euro 900,000 for the remaining two years. Tonga welcomes this new allocation which was not offered in January 2007.
- In additional, the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) with a sound budget of Euro 76.2 millions will continue to benefit Tonga through multi-sector activities in education (PRIDE); agriculture (CTA, DSAP & PPP), fisheries (PROCFISH & DEVFISH), environment (PEIN & SOPAC), investment (EIB & CDE), trade & economic integration (PACREIP & EPA) etc.
Tonga...s 10th EDF Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Program is now finalized to be concluded with the EC High Level Delegation to the Forum Islands Meeting to be held in Nuku...alofa in October 2007. Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 31/07/07.