BRUSSELS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) plans to allocate more than 3.3 billion euros (4.24 billion U.S. dollars) worth of grants in the 2014-2020 financial period to support sustainable energy projects all over the world, among which 2 billion euros will be dedicated to African countries, an EU statement said on Monday.
The statement said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will co-sign joint declarations in New York on Tuesday to reinforce energy cooperation with five African countries: Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Togo and Rwanda.
These agreements will aim to increase access to sustainable energy sources, even in rural areas where the needs are the greatest.
Barroso said sustainable energy is essential for fuelling growth and development. “I am delighted that we are now joining forces with European and African countries that have decided to take the lead in the fight against energy poverty,” said Barroso ahead of the signing in New York, where he is currently attending the Climate Change Summit for the UN General Assembly.
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