International conference on Somalia to hold Thursday in London

Brussels, Belgium (PANA) – An international conference on Somalia, scheduled for Thursday in London, will be attended by high-ranking European Union (EU) officials, including the High Representative of the EU for External Policy and Common Security, Ms. Cathérine Ashton, and the European Commissioner in charge of Development, Andris Piebalgs.

PANA reports that the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiwedi Mohammed Ali, on transit in Brussels, discussed the conference with the Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Mohammed Ibn Chambas of Ghana.

There are indications that the conference will focus on the roadmap signed in July 2011 in Kampala, Uganda, by all the Somali parties.

In a document made available to journalists, the EU recalls its efforts to help Somalia, including the 415 million euros from the European Development Fund (FED) dedicated to programmes on agriculture, health and the stabilisation of the government.

There was also the financial aid of 258 million euros released by the EU in favour of the Mission of the African Union for the Stabilisation of Somalia (AMISOM).
-0- PANA AK/AAS/MTD/VAO 21Feb2012