[08/August/2012]

BRUSSELS, Aug. 07 (Saba) - The European Commission (EC) agreed on Tuesday to give Yemen an additional funding package of €18 million to help Yemen respond to the multiple governance challenges and address some of the grievances which led to the 2011 protests in the country.

The new funding will provide support in four main areas: democracy, civil registry, legal reforms and decentralization. The bulk of this support will consist of technical assistance and the relevant equipment to introduce necessary reforms, as well as grants for awareness-raising and training, said the EU's executive body in a statement.

It is earmarked for equipping and training Yemen's institutions to reform its electoral and legal systems, developing local councils' capacity to implement development plans, and helping register the population.

The very low rate of registration with the civil registry is a long-standing problem in Yemen, which in turn has a negative impact on the delivery of basic services, human rights and the rule of law, the statement said.

"The EU has supported Yemen's transition process right from the start and this new support represents our on-going response to the aspirations of the Yemeni people for a just, democratic and well-run Yemeni state." said Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development.

The EU has played a significant role in support of the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) initiative and a peaceful transition process in Yemen.

The EU also supports Yemen in the health sector and in improving livelihoods and creating jobs. Civil society organizations are also supported through EU programs, to be able to carry out additional basic service delivery and advocate for a more responsive and transparent state.

AF