From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Mon Sep 07 2009 - 15:41:34 EDT
Eritrean government and European Commission conclude 122-million Euro
agreement
By Staff
Sep 7, 2009, 21:00
http://www.shabait.com/articles-new/uploads/_mg_0017.jpgAsmara, 7 September
2009 - The Government of Eritrea and the European Commission today concluded
a 122-million Euro agreement for the implementation of development programs
in Eritrea for 2009 to 2013. Besides, the two sides concluded an additional
7.26 million Euro accord for emergency situations.
Out of the agreement signed for the facilitation of development activities,
70 million Euro would be channeled towards achieving food security, 34
million Euro for expanding infrastructure facilities, 10 million Euro
towards promoting social services, and 8.3 million Euro would be directed to
the task of preserving national heritage.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel, Director of the Office
of the President, on the Eritrean side, and Ms. Paolo Amadie, Head of the
Delegation of the European Commission to Eritrea, on the side of the EU
Commission.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yemane expressed the Eritrean government's
readiness to work with all partners that respect the independent path and
choices of nations. He further asserted that the agreement just concluded
would be channeled to Eritrea's priority development programs.
Ms. Paolo Amadie on her part said that the agreement reflects the continuity
of cooperation between Eritrea and the European Union. She also expressed
hope that the Eritrean government's endeavors to eradicate poverty and
ensure socio-economic progress would bring about the desired change in the
people's standard of living.
Ms. Paolo also expressed the European Commission's readiness to work in
partnership with the Eritrean government in wide-ranging development
programs.
The prevailing religious mutual respect and co-existence in Eritrea emanate
from cherished culture of harmony and unity: Religious leaders
By Staff
Sep 7, 2009, 20:00
Asmara, 7 September 2009 - The Eritrean religious leaders said that the
praiseworthy value shared by followers of different religions in Eritrea
which is deeply rooted in a long-standing mutual respect and spirit of
co-existence emanates from the cherished culture of unity and harmony.
They pointed out that the Eritrean people are not only strong believers but
have also managed to overcome challenging moments in unison which assets
constitute the pillar of their religious unity.
His Holiness Abune Dioskoros, 4th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo
Church, explained that the Eritrea people are endowed with noble values, and
that the ongoing development achievements being witnessed in the country
fully attest to the existing solid national unity. In this respect, the
Patriarch stressed the need to reinforce such unity and tolerate transient
problems so as to attain the set development goal.
Likewise, the Eritrean Mufti, Sheik Al-Amin Osman, called on nationals to
strengthen national unity and reinforce the cherished values through
rebuffing the continued divisive ploys weaved by enemy quarters.
Abune Mengisteab Tesfamariam, Bishop of the Eritrean Catholic Church, said
on his part that both followers of the Islamic and Christian faiths in
Eritrea demonstrate close interaction in social and daily activities, and
hence such noble values of religious tolerance and mutual respect should be
preserved and enhanced.
Similarly, the President of the Eritrean Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rev.
Asfaha Mehari, noted that the Eritrean people have coped with the bitter
colonial period on the basis of mutual love and religious harmony. He
further underscored that there exists no room in Eritrea for employing
religion as a political instrument.
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