At the same time, it will assist the Government to hold regional workshop on climate change in Honiara ahead of the COP16 in Mexico towards end of this year.
The decision was reached following the third enhance political dialogue between European Commission and the government in Brussels, Belgium last Tuesday.
The Government was represented by Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana, Minister of Finance, Snyder Rini, Solomon Islands Ambassador to Europe, Joseph Ma’ahanua, Non State Actor’s Collin Ruqebatu, Secretary to Prime Minister, Jerry Manele, Finance PS Shadrack Fanega and Planning PS Jane Waetara.
Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua said the Government will sign the financial agreement in April before the money comes through.
He said EU wants to delay the assistance after the national general election to see how Government spends its assistance from now until September.
Dr Sikua said beside the budgetary support, EU will also assist Solomon Islands to hold regional workshops on climate change.
This is in preparation for the COP16 in Mexico towards end of this year.
Minister of Finance, Snyder Rini said the assistance will help the government in its operation after being hit hard by the global economic crisis.
Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana said the political dialogue is an historic occasion for Solomon Islands.
He said this is because Solomon Islands became the first Asian Caribbean Pacific’s country to meet with European Union president and European Commission’s president in Brussels.
He said such meeting was normally rare for a country in ACP to meet both presidents at one time.
But Dr Sikua said Solomon Islands was given the opportunity because of the good work it done with the assistance from EU to help people in the rural areas.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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