EU Commissioner Mimica to announce support for Vietnam’s healthcare sector

(VNF) - EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica is scheduled to visit South East Asia region, including Vietnam (November 16th - 18th) and Cambodia (November 18th - 20th).
November 15, 2015 | 13:28

(VNF) - EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica is scheduled to visit South East Asia region, including Vietnam (November 16th - 18th) and Cambodia (November 18th - 20th).

He will hold a series of high-level meetings with government representatives to discuss ongoing development cooperation, visit EU-funded projects and announce a EUR40 million package to support the education sector in Cambodia.

EU Commissioner Mimica to announce support for Vietnam’s healthcare sector
"Vietnam has come a long way in eradicating poverty and raising the standard of living. However, many development challenges still remain. Our partnership has evolved from humanitarian aid, to development and economic cooperation, to trade and investments. Development cooperation must now be seen in this new context, where it can support the necessary social and economic reforms to accompany Vietnam in its transition towards an industrialised and more inclusive economy,” he said ahead of the visit to Vietnam.

While in Vietnam, Commissioner Mimica will meet Nguyen Tan Dung, the Prime Minister and Nguyen Chi Dung, the Vice-Minister of Planning and Investment. On the occasion of the celebration of EU-Vietnam's 20th year of cooperation in the health sector, Commissioner Mimica will sign an EUR8,4 million EU contribution to the on-going “Health professional education and training project,” in the presence of Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Health. He will also visit an EU-funded project supporting Vietcraft (Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association) to enhance the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to comply with European market access requirements.

According to Commissioner Mimica, Cambodia has an excellent record in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Yet, a large part of the population remains just above the poverty line and vulnerable.

“The EU is the biggest donor in the country and I would like to stress that we are committed to help Cambodia further reduce poverty levels and implement necessary reforms in education, fisheries, and the public sector among others.”

During his visit to Cambodia, Commissioner Mimica will meet Hun Sen, the Prime Minister and Pit Chamnan, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. He will also meet Aun Pornmoniroth, the Minister of Economy and Finance, with whom the Commissioner will sign an sectoral budget support agreement to increase the ongoing education program by EUR40 million.

This will raise the EU's contribution to the Education sector in Cambodia to nearly EUR140 million since 2003. In the margins of his visit, Commissioner Mimica will also visit a school on the outskirts of Phnom Penh to see the results being achieved by the Ministry of Education in improving the quality of teaching and learning thanks to the EU's support.

EU - Vietnam development cooperation

For the period 2014-2020, the EU has allocated a package of EUR400 million to Vietnam to target sustainable energy, governance and the rule of law. These areas are aligned with the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) and the government's priorities on Vietnam's path towards becoming an industrialised country by 2020.

Sustainable Energy will cover areas related to access to energy, energy efficiency, renewables and energy market reform. Support in the governance and rule of law sector will start with a programme to promote access to justice for the most vulnerable groups (women, children and ethnic minorities). In the future, the EU will continue supporting economic governance (including public finance management).

EU - Cambodia development cooperation

In line with the EU's development policy set out in the Agenda for Change, there has been a substantial increase in support to Cambodia for the period 2014-2020, with a total allocation of up to EUR410 million (from EUR143 million for the period 2007-2013).

The support will go to three main sectors of cooperation: education and skills, governance and administration and agriculture and natural resources management. These will also build on existing EU programs and are in line with the Cambodian Government's priorities./.

( VNF )

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