Cape Verde
New agreement triples Portuguese aid to Cape Verde

afrol News, 7 August - The 2002-04 Cooperation Programme between Cape Verde and Portugal was signed yesterday in the Cape Verdean capital, Praia, by the Portuguese Labour Minister, Bagão Felix and Cape Verdean Minister of Employment and Social Security, Virgilio Correia. The Portuguese aid destined to Cape Verde has been increased almost threefold thanks to this new agreement. 

The aid Portugal plans to channel to Cape Verde has a value of euro 4,700,000 and is to be targeted towards the sectors of professional training, employment and social security. The previous cooperation agreement between Portugal and its Atlantic ex-colony was worth euro 1,900,000, meaning that the new agreement almost triples the Portuguese investments in Cape Verde.

At press conference after the signature of the new agreement, Portuguese Minister Bagão Felix announced to the journalists that the funds also would be destined to the construction of an employment and professional training centre in Cape Verde, which, essentially, would operate on the remote and underdeveloped islands of Fogo and Brava. 

During his official visit, Minister Felix has visited different social centres and centres for professional training, all of which had been constructed and equipped with the aid of Portuguese funds. 

On the other hand, the Cape Verdean Minister commented that his government was dedicating special attention to the social sector, especially what is referred to as policies of social solidarity. But, added Minister Correia, to carry out this task, the country needs the assistance of "partner countries". 

Portugal has emerged as the major cooperation partner for its ex-colony and a useful advocate for Cape Verdean interests within the European Union. After an initial troubled bilateral relation due to a bitter independence struggle, relations have grown hearty with the establishment of democracies in both countries. Portugal's rapid economic development has enabled the country to take more responsibility for its ex-colonies lately.