Burkina Faso will remain a priority country for Italy into the next 2-3 years in terms of cooperation. Indeed, Italian Development Cooperation will be opening an office in the capital, Ouagadougou. The announcement was made by Minister Terzi at the end of a meeting at the Farnesina with his counterpart from Burkina Faso, Yipene Djibril Bassolé.
Over 100 million for rural development and emergency aid
Over the last 25 years, Italy has donated over 100 million euros to Burkina Faso for rural development and humanitarian emergencies and 22 million euros to combat malaria, recalled Terzi. He added that food security remains an issue that in 2012 will affect 3 million people.
For this reason, Terzi hopes that it will be possible to “complete the pathway opened with the framework cooperation agreement signed by Minister Riccardi [Minister for International Cooperation]. An agreement envisaging cooperation on foreign policy, security and migratory flows”.
Bassolé spoke of “a very useful and fruitful discussion”. He explained that the agreement signed today (17 September 2012) with Italy “is important for my country’s social and economic development”. The hope now is to “involve private operators in the water, energy, agriculture and food security sectors”.
Supporting and consolidating the transition process in Mali
The two Ministers also addressed questions linked to regional instability in Sahel and the Sahara, especially as regards Mali. Italy, explained Terzi, hopes that “the UN Security Council will authorise a peace mission with a clear mandate to support and consolidate the transition process in Mali”.
Terzi added that “Italy sees the need to arrive at a lasting, agreed solution between the countries of the region for the stability of the Sahel region”. A region where “terrorist groups and criminal organisations are a cause for serious concern. On this front, Italy is engaged in cooperation initiatives to combat the phenomenon” explained the Minister, “and wants to contribute to programmes to improve border controls”.
Bassolé illustrated to Terzi the state of progress of mediation on Mali entrusted to Burkina Faso, focusing on institutional issues in Bamako and security in the north. He expressed the hope that “the international community will support the efforts being made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to foster stability and peace throughout the area, in the Sahel and in the Sahara”. The question will be discussed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with a specific meeting scheduled for 26 September 2012.
