EU pledges continuous support to Salone

The European Commission, often referred to as the executive arm of the European Union, has pledged its continual support to Sierra Leone.
In a press release, the EC recalls its continued presence and assistance throughout the war, which reaffirmed its political commitment towards Sierra Leone.
The EU, the release points out, “has no intention to stop or reduce the collaboration with Sierra Leone, as has incorrectly been referred to in Sierra Leonean media recently.”
In December 2007 in connection with the EU Africa Summit in Lisbon, the Government of Sierra Leone, represented by the minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs Zainab Bangura and the EU president Mr Joe Manuel Barroso jointly singed the National Indicative Program (NIP) for Sierra Leone for the period 2008-2013.
It includes an indicative financial envelop from the European Development Fund (EDF) of 242 million euros, representing a significant increase compared with the previous period.
If the co-operation proceeds well, there will possibly also be other sources of EU financing, for example from the EC budget lines, the regional funds, special facilities and funds linked to the progress of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), stated  the report.