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The European Commission today announced it had adopted "a framework programme outlining its co-operation strategy (Country Strategy Paper) and financial allocations (Indicative Programme) to Lesotho over the next six years." The EU-Lesotho strategy paper defines the priority areas of assistance. The objective was "to support government's efforts to reduce poverty through sustainable economic and social development." Main areas of intervention were defined as "the improvement of living standards, the improvement of transport infrastructure, the support for the government's macro-economic reform and support in the fight against HIV/AIDS." The government of Lesotho, established after the 25 May elections, is faced with "the challenge of striking a balance between creating an enabling environment for sustained economic growth and lasting employment opportunities, delivering adequate levels of social services and mitigating the effects of HIV/AIDS," the EU notes. - Hence, whilst good governance, political stability, improved communications, privatisation and financial sector reform are critical for the creation of the enabling environment, sufficient public resources will need to be directed to improvements in health, education, sanitation and water supplies, the EU statement says. The priorities set out in the EU Country Strategy Paper include "improving Lesotho's standard of living of both the rural and rapidly urbanising populations, through the provision in the medium and long term of domestic and industrial secured water supplies and the related needs for reticulation and wastewater treatment." Further, the UE also aimes at improving Lesotho's transport infrastructure and thus "further integrating rural areas, increasing access to markets and social services and to provide short-term employment." Equally, one plans to support Lesotho's macro-economic reform programme and capacity building "with special attention being given to the objectives of poverty reduction and of equitable access to social services." Supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS was given high priority. This was to be made through "strengthening the governments planning and response capacity, awareness creation and the development of home-based care." The strategy paper further recognised the special contribution of Non State Actors in Lesotho to the overall social development of the country and "will continue to support them both in their role as providers of essential services, particularly to the poorest sections of the population, and as voices in civil society." The resources have been allocated from the European Development Fund from which euro 86 million is foreseen, was intended to cover macroeconomic support, sectorial policies, programmes and projects. Euro 24 million had been agreed upon to be available in the case of unforeseen needs including emergency assistance, debt relief and support for unstable export earnings.
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