EU to boost its support for African peace and security efforts

The European Commission has decided to increase the African Peace Facility (APF) with an additional €300 million to support African peace and security efforts. The APF has been set up to cover conflict prevention and post-conflict stabilisation as well as to accelerate decision-making and coordination processes in Africa. This financial instrument is in line with the objectives defined in the Partnership on Peace and Security and the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.

Within this framework, the European Commission will make funds available to the African Union (AU) and African Regional Organisations for the period 2011-2013 to support continental and regional initiatives in conflict prevention, management and resolution and peace building".

Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated that "The EU is sparing no effort to support the African Union’s work to bring peace to the continent, as this additional contribution demonstrates".

Andris Piebalgs, Development Commissioner said that "security and stability must be ensured to lay the foundations for sustainable development in Africa. Today's decision confirms EU's steadfast support to African organisations in their actions to prevent conflicts and to maintain peace in critical zones".

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