Press Release: European Commission proposes doubling European aid to support democratic government in the Congo

After more than 40 years of dictatorship and war, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) now has a President elected by direct universal suffrage, a modern Constitution that has been ratified by an overwhelming majority, and a democratic Parliament representing all of its citizens. The Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel, who is going to Kinshasa on 6 December 2006 for the investiture of President Joseph Kabila, is proposing to double European development aid to support the reconstruction of the Congolese State. An initial package of €33 million will be used to strengthen governance and the institutions serving the country's citizens.