MW GOVT PLEAD WITH EU FOR AID RESUMPTION

The government of Malawi through its representative to European Union-Africa Summit have pleaded with  European grouping for a resumption of budgetary support to Malawi.

 Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ephraim Chiume, and Economic Planning and Development Minister, Ralph Jooma, made the plea when they met with EU’s Commissioner for Development Cooperation, Andris Piebalgs, at EU head offices in central Brussels this week.

The EU is with-holding budgetary aid amounting to about € 19 million to Malawi.

Speaking in an interview with a local media after the meeting, Chiume said the meeting was fruitful and that the EU has promised to consider Malawi’s plea.

“The commissioner advised us to look into the outstanding issues to do with Cash gate and deal with the action plan,” said Chiume.

He said the EU is in agreement with the approach the government has taken in implementing the action plan.

“They say we should continue addressing the issues and then they will re-consider the possibility of releasing the money that they are withholding,” he said.

Chiume  however, was quick to say no time frame has been given on the matter.