MBABANE:Dessislava Choumelova, the European Union(EU) Ambassador to the Kingdom of eSwatini has announced and signed financial support agreements with the Government amounting to EUR27million(about R562million), in support of the youth and women in vulnerable situations.
The monies,according to the Ambassador, will also capacitate the civil society organizations.
The EU Ambassador signed the financial support agreement on Wednesday in Mbabane, together with Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla in the presence of Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr. Tambo Gina,Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo and Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima.
Speaking during the signing ceremony,the Ambassador said, the European Union(EU) was increasing support to countries including eSwatini to assist various programs particularly education,as a cornerstone to economic and social development in pursuit of peace and prosperity and towards achieving the United Nations(UN) Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
On another note,the donation from the EU comes at a time when Government is struggling to fund the Free Primary Education(FPE), schools are struggling amid shortage of working equipment caused by rampant corruption in the public administration.
The EU has supported various programs in eSwatini including sugar-cane farmers in the Lubombo region rural areas who came together to form associations.
EU Ambassador Dessislava Choumelova and Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla.