The second PALOP Regional Indicative Cooperation Programme (PIR PALOP II) was signed on 5 March 1997, in Maputo, Mozambique, with a projected budget of €30m.

In line with the political decision of the five Heads of State, reaffirmed in June 1995 at the ministerial summit of National Authorising Officers, to continue and strengthen cooperation under the PALOP Programme at the meeting held in Brussels from 25 to 27 February 1997, it was agreed to negotiate with the European Commission to plan the regional indicative programme in accordance with Articles 160 and 161 of the revised Lomé IV Convention.

PIP PALOP II outlined three main focal areas – institutions and central and local public administration; employment and training; culture – and three non-focal areas – statistics; the educational system; tourism and environment.

The general objective was to reduce the development deficit of the five countries concerned, specifically attributable to common characteristics, by encouraging their integration into the contiguous geographical regions.

The priorities of the PALOP II PIR confirmed the need for human resource development and strengthening of institutional support to contribute to the necessary reforms, covering areas where systematic complementarity with the National Indicative Programmes and the other Regional Indicative Programmes was sought.

PROJECTS:

• Support for the Development of Statistical Systems I
• Support for the Development of Judicial Systems I
• Consolidation of Public Administration Capacities