AUC Chairperson receives the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 29, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping, received in his office at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, on Sunday 28 August, 2011, H.E the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Søren Pind, who is currently accompanying Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Denmark,on a working visit to Ethiopia and other countries of the Horn of Africa.
Welcoming the Danish Minister, the Chairperson paid tribute to Denmark for its historical role, along with the other Nordic Countries, in supporting the independence of many African countries and its continued commitment to help the African continent in the field of peace, security, development and humanitarian assistance.
During the meeting the Chairperson and the Minister, exchanged views on the current humanitarian situation in the region, recognizing the severity of the crisis and discussed how best to ensure that assistance reach all affected people as soon as possible.
The Minister for Development Cooperation expressed satisfaction with last week’s Pledging Conference organized by the African Union on 25 August 2011 in order to encourage support and pledges from AU Member States and partners. In this regard the Minister highlighted Denmark’s contributions to the relief efforts which as of today amount to DKK 350 million (approx. USD 66 million) in 2011. He also mentioned the public fundraising efforts in Denmark which culminated on 27 August 2011.
The Chairperson and the Danish Minister also agreed on the importance of food security including through increased drought resilience. The Minister informed the Chairperson of his visit to Hulbareg Woreda in Ethiopia where he got a firsthand impression of the significant results of such efforts. They agreed that the AU has an important role in ensuring continued focus on building long term drought resilience as well as to ensure support for the most vulnerable and affected people.
During the meeting they also addressed the situation in Somalia after the withdrawal of Al Shabaab from Mogadishu, and the Minister expressed his appreciation of the important efforts made by AMISOM. The two agreed on the importance of further strengthening AMISOM in order to consolidate and stabilize the security situation in Somalia to pave the way for a long term political solution for Somalia. The Minister reiterated Denmark’s support for AMISOM – including funding of AMISOM’s humanitarian efforts as well as the Denmark’s support to the AMISOM Trust Fund.
Finally they confirmed the strong relationship between the AU and Denmark and expressed their sincere hope that this cooperation will continue to be strengthened and deepened in the future.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
