The European Union is proposing 10.8 million EUR in additional grant aid to Laos from 2009 to 2013, according to the European Commission Delegation based in Vientiane.
The additional aid is a result of the ongoing European Commission (EC) cooperation programme which is aligned with Laos’ five-year socio-economic development plan, particularly aimed at poverty reduction, management of public finances and trade related assistance.
The aid will also reflect fruitful cooperation between the Lao government and the EC, according to the Vientiane Times on Mar. 10.
EU assistance to Laos has been increasing in recent years. Assistance from 2002 to 2006 was 18 million EUR, excluding assistance through NGOs and regional programmes.
The EU had earlier announced it would assist Laos by providing 33 million EUR from 2007 to 2013, and would give additional aid if cooperation programmes were found to be effective.