The European Union has stepped up its support to the implementation of the peace agreement in the Central African Republic. The announcement was made at the high-level meeting on the Central African Republic (CAR) held in the margins of the UN General Assembly, on 26 September, to discuss the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation agreement between the Government and fourteen armed groups signed last February under the auspices of the African Union.

The meeting was co-chaired by the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Touadéra, Chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat and the Secretary-General of the Economic Community of Central African States Ahmad Allam-Mi. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres also attended the event.

The EU was represented by Federica Mogherini, the High Representative for the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner in charge of International cooperation and Development.

It was commissioner Mimica to announce the new EU assistance package of € 60 million to further support the implementation of the peace agreement by improving access to basic services and facilitating the preparation of elections. At this occasion, High Representative Mogherini also reiterated the EU's full support to the actions of the Central African authorities in rebuilding the state institutions and bringing peace in the country.

The Peace Agreement marks a huge step forward that needs now to be fully implemented by all actors. The High Representative used the opportunity to encourage all actors to fully involve civil society in the process while also highlighting the importance of justice and of the fight against impunity to enable lasting peace.

Next years' elections will be critical for the future of the country. The EU is ready to provide financial and technical support in that context.

The EU has been a strong and reliable partner of the CAR. Since 2014 to date, the EU has mobilised €850 million of assistance to the country.