Quetta, 25th October 2021 (TDI): Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Androulla Kaminara visited Balochistan to engage in multiple meetings. She met the beneficiaries of the Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment program and Balochistan Rural Development Program.
During her visit, she announced funding of 45 Million Euros to the BRACE initiative. The visit also signified progress in the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the EU.
The Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment Program is an initiative that aims to empower women. It assists women and other vulnerable groups of the underprivileged Balochistan by income-generating grants and TVET training.
The initiative is an attempt to make the Baloch women financially independent by promoting socio-economic development.
Ambassador Androulla Kaminara distributed devices to the differently-abled during her visit to the Balochistan Rural Development Programme. During the distribution ceremony of the assistive devices, she said, “Inclusiveness is needed to have harmony and peace. Peace is a pre-requisite for progress”.
Ambassador Androulla Kaminara also inaugurated a drinking water supply scheme that will benefit around 12000 community members. Under the BRACE and BRSP programs, a total of 211 infrastructure schemes will be constructed in 211 UCs of 10 districts.
Out of the 211 infrastructure schemes only 123 schemes have been initiated so far. EU is extending financial cooperation for improvement in different sectors in Balochistan and also other areas of Pakistan.
The European Union Envoy during a meeting with media persons said that the EU had signed a strategic engagement plan. She alluded that this plan pertains to issues of anti-terrorism and climate change.
The European Union Envoy also stated that the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the EU will be further strengthened.
