Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-05-13-Speech-2-209"
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"en.20030513.10.2-209"2
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". – The Commission considers that Angola has made substantial progress towards consolidation of the peace process since the signing of the peace agreement in April 2002 and that a return to war seems unlikely at this stage.
The next presidential and legislative elections will be a crucial test for the government’s commitment to democratic practices. The Commission will follow developments very closely and has offered to assist in creating conditions for free and fair elections.
The priorities for the European Community’s co-operation with Angola are spelt out in the recently signed Country Strategy Paper. In the short to medium term, priority is given to funding the measures necessary to support the peace process and national reconciliation, including creating the conditions for free and fair elections. In the medium to longer term, the Commission will gradually increase the focus of its support, concentrating aid on health, education and food security as the three main focal areas.
Angola has also been included as a focus country under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
However, several challenges persist which may threaten the stability of the country. These include the critical humanitarian situation, the reintegration of ex-combatants; the resettlement of internally displaced persons and returning refugees; democratisation and the reconstruction of the country – roads especially have been a very big problem.
Furthermore, the presence of landmines continues to be a major threat. In fact, when people started moving after the peace agreement had been signed, we saw an unfortunate increase in the number of accidents due to landmines – a terrible consequence. The Commission is continuing to assist the government and society in general to address these challenges.
As regards the situation in Cabinda, may I refer to the answer to the question from the Member, written question E-640/03 on this subject. The Commission is following the developments in the province closely, and there have been indications of some positive developments in the conflict recently.
The overall humanitarian situation, while still serious, continues to stabilise. Emergency pockets and areas exist throughout the interior of the country, particularly in areas where mines and damaged infrastructure still limit access.
The Commission considers the successful demobilisation and reintegration of ex-Unita soldiers to be crucial for national reconciliation. There have been problems, but given the difficult circumstances, the demobilisation process can be qualified as successful, although reintegration has not yet been fully achieved. In March this year I visited Angola and also one of the biggest camps of ex-Unita soldiers, and had a thorough exchange of views with them concerning their prospects in this situation. Everything seemed relatively well organised.
The Commission is in contact with the political parties, although a regular dialogue really is not up and running yet. It is intended to strengthen the effort to create such a dialogue. As regards churches and civil society there is an ongoing dialogue as well as co-operation on a number of specific projects.
Concerning the donors’ conference
which will take place in Brussels
there is still no confirmation of date, modalities and agenda. The success of the conference is strongly linked to the establishment of a credible government plan for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country, including a poverty reduction strategy, as well as to an improvement of the relationship between the Government of Angola and the IMF. The Commission has repeatedly offered to assist in the preparation and organisation of the conference.
Transparency of public accounts and revenues from national resources, oil and diamonds, could improve definitely with the new economic team in place since the December cabinet reshuffle, although concrete results are not yet visible. The diagnosis of the oil sector, which the government is currently undertaking with KPMG should be an important element and the Commission awaits its publication with great interest. I raised these issues very directly with the government during the visit I just mentioned. The Commission and other donors are working together to encourage the government to increase transparency."@en1
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