{"id":73132,"date":"2019-01-12T01:36:36","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T23:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.times.mw\/?p=73132"},"modified":"2019-01-12T01:36:36","modified_gmt":"2019-01-11T23:36:36","slug":"european-union-courts-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.times.mw\/index.php\/2019\/01\/12\/european-union-courts-government\/","title":{"rendered":"European Union courts government"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Wanangwa Chafulumira:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The European Union (EU) on Thursday met with some Cabinet ministers in a scheduled political dialogue where, among other issues, they discussed the May 21 elections with government also promising to provide a conducive environment for civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country to thrive.<\/p>\n

But Timothy Mtambo, Vice-Chairperson of the CSOs operating under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) described government\u2019s commitment as mere rhetoric aiming at gaining political mileage.<\/p>\n

In a joint statement issued on Thursday after the meeting, the two parties reaffirmed their partnership ahead of the elections.<\/p>\n

During the meeting, some<\/p>\n

ministers, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Emmanuel Fabiano, reiterated Malawi\u2019s commitment to democratic values and appreciated EU for its continued support in the field of governance.<\/p>\n

Government expressed its commitment to ensure conducive operating environment to promote maximum value of resources with CSOs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this regard, the EU reiterated the importance to preserve a conducive environment for CSOs. The government recalled that the NGO Bill was still being scrutinised by Parliament,\u201d<\/em> reads part of the statement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The EU delegation was led by Sandra Paesen, European Union Ambassador to Malawi, who was joined by J\u00fcrgen Borsch, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Holly Tett, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, among other dignitaries.<\/p>\n

But Mtambo doubted government\u2019s sincerity Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat commitment was just made on the basis of getting the money or support from the EU but, on the ground, there are all the indicators that government is working against CSOs. Reality on the ground is very clear that government waged war against CSOs.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is why we saw government coming up with an NGO Bill without consulting us the stakeholders, so you can see that all the actions by government are acting contrary to that commitment they are making to EU,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

During the meeting, government briefed EU on steps taken in line with the agreed roadmap towards resumption of direct budgetary support.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
AT THE HELM OF TREASURY\u2014Goodall Gondwe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe in an interview Friday said, although he was not part of the Malawi delegation that attended the dialogue, he is optimistic about the budgetary support resumption.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have done what the European Union advised us to do, we are very optimistic that, come February, the European Union may resume budgetary support to Malawi although it is not much,\u201d<\/em> Gondwe said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He said he was happy with the support that countries in EU have been rendering to Malawi.<\/p>\n

The meeting further discussed security ahead of and during the elections in May.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith regard to security planning, both the Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Forces are prepared to ensure that citizens are secure in exercising their rights.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBoth sides noted that the government and the EU will make available additional resources to cater for the security and logistical requirements and transparent, inclusive and credible elections,\u201d<\/em> reads part of the statement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Highlights of the meeting <\/strong><\/p>\n