Madagascar – 10 Jan 2015
EU Naval Force Flagship Visits Madagsacar
From 15 to 19 December, the EU Naval Force Flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, paid a port visit to Madagascar, berthing for the first time in the beautiful bay of Antsiranana.
On Monday 15 December, Rear Admiral Guido Rando and the Commanding Officer of ITS Andrea Doria, Captain Angelo Virdis were warmly received by the Chief of the Madagascan Armed Forces and other senior officials, who expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the success of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta, and its continuous effort to defeat piracy off the East Coast of Africa.
In the afternoon, ITS Andrea Doria reciprocated the morning’s visit by welcoming their Madagascan hosts to the flagship, where they were met by Rear Admiral Rando and Captain Virdis. During the visit, they were briefed by the Combined Task Force 465 Chief of Staff on Operation Atalanta, including its successes and future developments.
On Thursday 18 December, the friendship fostered between the two nations was cemented with a football match played in the Diego Suarez Stadium, where the team from the Madagascan armed forces beat Andrea Doria’s side during a hot and humid Madagascan morning.
European Union
World Bank Supports Improved Social Service Delivery and Boosting Jobs Creation in Madagascar
The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a total of US$95 million to support Madagascar’s efforts to improve public service delivery and boost key areas for job creation.
“The past political crisis had devastating effects on Madagascar. Poverty has risen and is now among the highest in the world,” said Mark Lundell, World Bank Country Director for Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles. “Today’s financing reinforces the Bank Group’s support in tackling the tremendous challenges that Madagascar is facing.”
The first operation, the Reengagement Development Policy Operation (RDPO) financed by a US$45 million International Development Association (IDA)* credit accompanies the country’s efforts to consolidate the return to constitutional order and will provide budget support to the government to improve the efficiency and transparency of public service delivery.
AllAfrica.com