Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel De Gucht said: 'This new decision is a decisive step towards the full resumption of cooperation, which began last year following the implementation of most aspects of the agreement for ending the crisis concluded between the different political actors. One of the most important elements of this decision is the establishment of regular enhanced political dialogue between Mauritania and the EU on matters of importance for the stability of Mauritania, particularly governance issues. The European Commission remains ready to support development and reform efforts in Mauritania, while taking account of the challenges resulting from the intensification of terrorist activities.’

This new decision means that the National Indicative Programme for Mauritania under the 10 th European Development Fund (EDF), signed before the coup d’état of August 2008, can now be implemented. This programme has an envelope of € 156 million for activities in the areas of decentralisation and governance (€ 47m), infrastructure (€ 56m), possible general budget support (€ 40m), and other activities including in the area of management of migration flows (€ 13m). The indicative programme will be reviewed on the basis of the priorities of the new government and an analysis of effectiveness and needs. Other projects decided upon before the political crisis, totalling more than € 100m, were resumed in the second half of 2009.

Existing contracts, particularly for road infrastructure work, had never been suspended, and nor had humanitarian aid activities. S

The European Investment Bank has resumed funding of new projects, notably in the mining sector (€ 75m).