By Sanna Camara

In an eventful Europe Day celebration that fell on the eve of the European Union and Gambia Government political dialogue meeting hosted in Banjul this year, the Africa Managing Director of the European External Action Services has revealed that EU has committed more than 500 million Euros for the country since 2017.

Speaking in Banjul, Rita Laranjinha, said such a scale of support of EU citizens and taxpayers “is simply unprecedented” but also “proportionate” to the significance of welcoming The Gambia back in the democratic family since 2017, when the country took the decision to end dictatorship for a democratic system of governance.

“It is to accompany and support your democratic vision and to strengthen The Gambia’s ambitious sustainable development agenda that since 2017 the EU has committed more than 500 million Euros for the country,” the diplomat said at a colourful event hosted at a local hotel in Banjul.

As guest speaker at the event, she is also leading a delegation of EU experts from Brussels to the political dialogue hosted by Banjul this time – a periodic consultative session meant to strengthen cooperation between the two. The dialogue focuses on policy issues between the two partners and appraises cooperation situations in both sides.

While the EU and The Gambia have been partners before, it was the democratic transition in 2017 that opened a new and promising chapter in the country’s path and in the EU cooperation.

Since 2017, The Gambia has established itself as a beacon of democracy and human rights, a beacon of hope for the wider region and the world.

“This status is a privilege for which you worked hard and which comes with a lot of responsibilities as your citizens, and the world, look up to you for delivering on the respect of human rights, high democratic rights and values, while also expecting continuous progress of a sustainable social and economic development that gives the youth, the majority of your population, hope for a better future,” the dignitary said.

She said the European Union remains engaged around the world. “To address global challenges, the key remains to find joint solutions and to build robust and long-lasting partnerships. On the international stage we need to cooperate and respect common agreed rules. For this reason, it is vital to uphold multilateralism, and an International Rules based order by abiding to the United Nations institutions and Charter. Both The Gambia and the European Union are aligned in defending and promoting these principles without which there can be no peace, security and global prosperity,” she said.

The EU Ambassador to The Gambia, Imma Roca I-Cortes, led the gathering on a toast, to the EU-Gambia friendship.

In attendance were representatives of the Gambia government, ambassadors and representatives of the European Union member states, diplomats and members of the Consular Corps, of the United Nations agencies, friends of European partner organisations, the civil society, and European citizens in Banjul.