EU bolstering long-term help with immediate 'rapid-reaction' aid

Subject: LUSA: EU bolstering long-term help with immediate 'rapid-reaction' aid

28-07-2006 14:09:00. Fonte LUSA. Notícia SIR-8211547 Temas:

East Timor: EU bolstering long-term help with immediate 'rapid-reaction' aid

Dili, July 28 (Lusa) - Special Brussels envoy Miguel Amado capped a three-week assessment to East Timor Friday, announcing the European Union was preparing a euros 60 million aid package for Dili.

Amado, speaking at a departure news conference, said the aid package aimed to finance development projects for the 2008-2013 period but that Brussels also planned to activate a "rapid reaction mechanism" to provide immediate help during the country's nine-month countdown elections.

"I don't hide certain worries about the country's situation", the Portuguese EU diplomat said, adding, however, that he remained "optimistic" given the international community's "sure" commitment to aid East Timor's longstanding "development plan".

The EU's immediate concern, he said, was for the country to "find stability and peace" so that planned general elections next year take place in a "constructive atmosphere".

Immediate EU aid, Amado said, would center on short-term projects to provide jobs for unemployed youths and on re-enforcing Dili's justice system.

"The EU will commit itself, as much as possible, in re-enforcing justice and in creating a propitious climate so that justice may be done", he said, stressing that "there is no democracy without justice".

SAS/EL.

Lusa

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