About
Us
Welcome
note by the Head of Delegation
EU and Uganda: Partners
that Matter!
Uganda and the European Commission
(EC), acting on behalf of the European Union (EU) have had a
long standing relationship dating back to 1975 when Uganda became
a member of the Lomé Convention which was concluded between
European and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP).
As the new Head of Delegation to Uganda, I will undertake to
even further the already existing good relations between Uganda
and the European Commission.
The
political objectives of the European Commission in Uganda
are two fold:
- Strengthening
a framework for multi-party democracy in Uganda whereby
our key priority is to support the government of Uganda
in its endeavour to strengthen the electoral system and
the framework for effective multiparty democracy following
recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission
2006.
- Promoting
peace and stability in Northern Uganda and Karamoja; we
have a strong commitment to conflict resolution using “development
as an incentive for peace”.
Since
the year 2000, the relationship between the EU and ACP states
is based on a new development cooperation agreement, known
as the Cotonou Partnership Agreement which was signed in Cotonou
- Benin. Following the agreement, Uganda and the European
Commission signed a Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and National
Indicative Plan (NIP) for the period 2002-2007.
With the above CSP soon coming to an end, the new one will
run for the period 2008-2013 under the 10th European Development
Fund (EDF). Regarding the orientations retained Conflict Resolution
and Reconstruction in Northern Uganda and Karamoja as well
as Economic Integration through Road Transport Infrastructure
are foreseen as the two main focal sectors.
The European Commission will continue providing half of its
financial assistance to the Poverty Eradication Action Plan
(PEAP) especially to macro-economic support in addition to
providing support to Civil Society.
The new strategy is prepared in close consultation with non-state
actors, local authorities and other development partners,
in particular EU Member States as well as members of the Uganda
Joint Assistance Strategy (UJAS).
I wish to note that the Uganda Country Strategy is in line
with the EU Strategy for Africa adopted by the European Commission
in October 2005. The strategy puts emphasis on key requirements
for sustainable development such as peace and security, good
and effective governance, trade, interconnectivity, social
cohesion and environmental sustainability. In addition, the
Strategy reaffirms the commitment to increase EU aid to Africa
and to improve aid effectiveness.
Finally, I would like to convey the strong commitment to enhance
the partnership between the EU and Uganda. I look forward
to working with all of you with immense confidence, for the
betterment of both the citizens of Uganda and the European
Union.
Ambassador
Vincent De Visscher
Head of Delegation
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Mr.
Vincent De Visscher
Ambassador/Head of Delegation
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