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EU urged to meet US aid pledge
Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Chirac are calling for EU Heads of State to commit up to $1bn to the Global Health Fund in 2004. The figure would match the US contribution to the Fund.
The two leaders made the call in a letter to Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister who is current president of the EU, ahead of tomorrow’s EU Summit in Thessalonika.
The UN fund was set up in January 2002 to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria around the world. It aims to make more drugs and commodities available for the prevention and treatment of these diseases in the poorest countries, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.
It also aims to strengthen associated health systems to ensure supplies are delivered safely, effectively and equitably.
The letter calls for a “secure and predictable financing basis” for the Fund. France will take this process forward when it hosts a donors conference on 16 July.
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