LOC23:13
20:13 GMT
BRUSSELS, Nov 6 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee gave the green light Monday, which for the first time, will allow the EU fund for stability and peace to finance the military in third countries to deliver development activities.
The resolution was backed by 27 votes to seven. It will go to the full EP for vote on 29-30 November, followed by a vote by the EU Council of Ministers in December.
However, this cooperation will only be possible if the third country and the EU agree that the military are key to preserving peace or overcoming a crisis and civilian forces are deemed not able to cope with the challenge. The fund will support the military to build hospitals, but not buy weapons or train soldiers.
The Instrument contributing to Peace and Stability is the EU's main tool to support security initiatives, peace-building activities and crisis response in partner countries.
Projects funded under the instrument include a sea water desalination plant in the Gaza strip, and the deradicalisation of young people in Bangladesh.
The fund started out in 2014 with a budget of 2.3 billion euro (USD 2.6 billion) for 2014-20. (end)
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