VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (VOI News) - The European Union (EU) Ambassador to ASEAN, Igor Driesmans launched three new development cooperation projects between the European Union and ASEAN totaling 13 million Euros. These projects will support urbanization and sustainable forest management as well as the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institute. In a virtual press conference on the occasion of the ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day, in Jakarta, Thursday (13/8), Igor Driesmans said the European Union is a very important partner of ASEAN in development cooperation. He added that the European Union has provided support to the ASEAN region by providing funds of 250 million Euros for regional integration programs from 2014-2020. Now, he continued, the European Union announced the launching of 3 (three) new EU-ASEAN cooperation.

"And I’m very happy to announce, today that we are launching another 3 projects this year. The first one is the Smart Green cities program of 5 million Euro, which will promote sustainable urbanization in several ASEAN cities and promote exchanges in smart solutions within ASEAN and with the European Union. Secondly the ASEAN Forest Governance Support Program of 5 million Euro, which will support sustainable forest governance and management across the region and work on processes for sustainable timber licensing and trade in ASEAN member states. Thirdly, the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institution Program, 3 million Euro, which will enhance exchange in capacity building for supreme audit institutions in the region and increase harmonization and transparency," said Igor Driesmans..

The European Union Ambassador to ASEAN, Igor Driesmans hoped that with this launch, the European Union and ASEAN will show a strong commitment to enhancing partnerships and cooperation despite the Corona virus pandemic. (VOI / AHM)