MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

European aid for Falklands and St. Helena.

The Falkland Islands were allocated this week three million Euros from the European Development Fund, EDF, with the purpose of reinforcing trade development capacity and enhancing the export capacity of this British Overseas Territory.

Another British OT, St Helena and dependencies, in the mid Atlantic, were allocated 8.6 million Euros with the objective of improving access to the island, promoting economic development and contributing to reduce St. Helena aid dependency by improving port infrastructures and facilities.

St Helena which can only be reached by sea (currently once a month from South Africa) has plans to build an airport which could help to end the island's isolation. However funding remains the major hurdle to achieve the project.

According to an European Commission release, ?68 million in development aid from the European Development Fund (EDF) were allocated to eight Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT): Anguilla, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, St. Helena and dependencies, and Turks and Caicos. The main objective of the aid is to support the economic and social development of the OCTs. A strong emphasis will be put on developing the tourism sector, an important potential source of income for the local economies.

The Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT), a group of twenty islands and territories spread from the Arctic to the Pacific Ocean linked to four Member States (Denmark, France, The Netherlands, and UK), have been associated with the EC since 1957. The purpose of this association is to promote the economic and social development of the countries and territories and to strengthen their economic ties with the EU as a whole.

Under the 9th EDF, ?175 million have been earmarked for the OCTs, that may also receive funding under budget lines for the developing countries, such as environment, humanitarian aid, NGOs, gender, fight against drugs, AIDS, fight against sexual tourism, population and demography, rehabilitation and reconstruction. They may also receive support from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Co-operation with each OCT will be based on a Single Programming Document elaborated in close collaboration between each Territory and the Commission. The sums allocated are as follows: Anguilla, ?8 million, New Caledonia, ?13.75 million, Pitcairn, ?2 million, French Polynesia, ?13.25 million, St Helena and Dependencies, ?8.6 million, Turks and Caicos Islands, ?8.4 million and Montserrat, ?11 million.