EU support to the Libyan, National General Congress: induction programme to the benefit of the 200 newly elected members started in Tripoli on 7, November

Brussels, 12-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — On 7 November, more than 70 newly elected Libyan MPs attended the opening session of a five week long Induction Programme organised by the EU as part of its support to the National General Congress. The ceremony was also attended by Mr Mohamed Yousef el-Megarief, Speaker of the General National Congress (GNC).

Peter Zsoldos, EU Ambassador to Libya, addressed the elected members of the Congress whom he said “represent the success of the Libyan transition process”. Mr Zsoldos underlined the EU’s readiness to continue to support Libya as strongly as ever before.

Over the coming weeks, a wide range of high profile European experts, including former Prime Ministers, active politicians and officials from other European parliaments, will deliver several training courses covering the main functions of a parliament and the constitutionalisation process. Parallel activities will be organised in support of the administrative staff of the GNC and the future
public affairs department (media office).

The support for the General National Congress is one of the components of the EU Public Administration Facility for Libya. This 4.5 million EUR programme focuses on state building and on supporting the administration and is part of the broader ongoing EU assistance to Libya.

Background:
The European Union remains the largest donor in Libya. For the period up to the end of 2013 it has projects in public administration, democratic transition, civil society and education amounting to 39 million EUR. A further 68 million EUR is planned to cover urgent priorities such as security, rule of law, health, migration, vocational education and training.

Part of the European assisstance is being oriented towards supporting the newly established Libyan General National Congress (GNC). For the time being EU support to the GNC foresees four main tracks: (i) Induction programme for Members of Parliament; (ii) Assistance on constitutional affairs; (iii) Assistance to set up the secretariat and (iv) Assistance on institutional arrangements.

The first session of the induction programme took place on 7 November. The EU brought high profile experts/officials and MPs from the EU (UK House of Commons, House of Lords, French Parliament, former Latvian Prime Minister). The five week Induction programme will cover the 4 main functions of a parliament and the constitutionalisation process. Parallel activities will support
the administrative staff of the GNC and the future public affairs department (media office).

For more information contact:
Michael Mann +32 498 99 97 80
Nabila Massrali +32 460 75 41 75

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 – +32 2 299 97 80 – Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 – +32 2 298 65 70 – Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
Nabila Massrali +32 229 69218 – Nabila.massrali@ec.europa.eu
COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu
www.eeas.europa.eu