Brussels, Belgium - The European Union (EU) has granted an additional 175 million euros to the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland, the separatist Republic of Somalia, PanaA learnt from EU official sources here. This was disclosed Wednesday in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland, by the European Commissioner for Development, Andries Piebalgs, while addressing the parliament of the separatist state, which is still to be recognized by the international community. The EU Commissioner hailed 'the contribution made by Somaliland for peace and good governance' in the region of the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland is 'an encouraging example of peace, democracy and stability,' he said, adding that the EU was willing to invest more funds for development, given that 'security and socio-political conditions are favourable to sustainable development.'

He asked the government of Somaliland to remain engaged in international efforts to curb piracy off the coast of Somalia.

The EU has launched in the Indian Ocean an operation dubbed 'Atalanta', to fight sea piracy and protect ships of the World Food Programme (WFP) carrying food and other relief supplies meant for Internally Displaced People.

Pana 07/07/2011