MEPs welcomed the allocation by the EU of €200 million to support the implementation of the Government of South Sudan's forthcoming "2011-13 Development Plan" for projects related to education, health, agriculture, food security and democratic governance.

A delegation from the Committee on Development recently visited the new country created, South Sudan. MEPs congratulated the population and the government of the new born country for its independence and welcomed the new Republic of South Sudan as the 193th member of the United Nations.

On the visit, the delegation travelled to Rumbek, in the State of Lacs, where it visited a water management project funded by the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) of the European Commission. This is one of the projects done with the funds invested by the EU. The EU was in 2010 the largest donor of official development assistance with a record quantity, reaching a total of €53,8 billion. The aim of the visit was to have a better idea of the urgent needs of the country.

In addition, MEPs had an exchanges of views with the south Sudanese's authorities and the donors' community. The EP delegation witnessed the efforts that the country and the international community are carrying out to promote the respect for democratic principles, the economic development of the country and the close cooperation with its neighbour Sudan.