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#BurkinaFaso Commissioner Mimica visits Burkina Faso to show solidarity and support to new government following terrorist attacks

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"On behalf of the European Commission, International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica will visit Burkina Faso on 12 February, to welcome the peaceful and successful elections."
The visit of the Commissioner will also be an opportunity to show support to the country, following the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou and in the northern part of the country on 15 January that killed 32 people and injured more than 60.

Ahead of the visit, Mimica said: "I want to welcome the peaceful and successful elections that were the last step of an exemplary transition process. This is a victory for Burkina Faso and good news for the region and the continent. I also want to reiterate our solidarity after the January attacks and underline the fact that Europe is strongly committed to support Burkina Faso and the Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism and extremism."

Concretely, the EU disbursed €128 million of development support to the country in 2015, with a total contribution of €623 million foreseen under the 11th European Development Fund for the timeframe 2014-2020. This support will focus on good governance, health, food security, sustainable agriculture and water. An ambitious package of actions worth €400 million could be adopted as early as 2016. The objectives will be to help the new authorities deliver support quickly to the population given the high expectations after the end of the transition period.

As a transition country for migrants towards the North of Africa or Europe, and a country of origin for intraregional mobility, Burkina Faso is one of the countries eligible to benefit from the newly created 'EU Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa'. Projects potentially eligible for the Trust Fund are currently being identified.

The visit will also be an opportunity to hold discussions with the newly-elected government after the recent presidential and legislative elections. In Burkina Faso, Commissioner Mimica will meet President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré and Prime Minister Kaba Thieba, to exchange views on the upcoming challenges after the peaceful legislative and presidential elections. The elections were an important milestone in driving the country towards the consolidation of democracy, which must now be reinforced through the tenure of municipal elections, due to take place on 22 May 2016.

The Commissioner will also visit an EU-funded health centre during his visit. The medical centre treats epidemic patients and is also a maternity hospital. While the Ebola epidemic seems to be now under control in West Africa, it is important for Burkina Faso to continue to build up its national capacities to prevent and manage a potential outbreak. Moreover, addressing maternal and child mortality is also of crucial importance.

Finally, Mimica will participate in the inauguration of a Transport Weighing Centre. It aims at preserving national roads by controlling the carriers' loads. Road infrastructure represents a large investment for the country and this project has the potential to unlock further investments, which will play a key role in strengthening sound regional cooperation.

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