Govt clarifies EU vote on €156m programme, refutes suspension claims

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has dismissed claims that the European Parliament vote on the €156mn partnership programme has suspended funding, insisting the decision is not final and does not stop implementation of the programme.

According to information made available to this journalist by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the vote forms part of internal European Union institutional procedures in which the Parliament debates and adopts resolutions that provide opinions and recommendations to EU authorities responsible for final decisions.

The government communication department at the ministry said the resolution is not binding and does not, on its own, determine financing outcomes for partner countries.

Therefore, ministry officials have dismissed reports circulating in the media and on social media platforms alleging that the vote had blocked and suspended the partnership programme. They clarified that the adopted resolution only calls for the programme to be reviewed and resubmitted, with its implementation remaining subject to the established consultation processes between the European Union and Tanzania.

The government further clarified that any review of the programme is conducted through mutual consultations and agreement between both parties and is later formalised through a Joint Financial Agreement. It stressed that under these procedures, no changes to funding arrangements can take effect unilaterally.

Officials also provided a breakdown of the €156mn package, stating that only €17mn was originally planned to be channelled directly through Government of Tanzania systems. The remaining €139mn was designated for implementation through European Union institutions, EU member state agencies, and civil society organisations under separate arrangements.

“This structure means that the majority of the funds are not disbursed directly into government accounts but are implemented through external partners and structures agreed under the programme design,” a ministry communiqué reads in part.

Regarding the European Parliament resolution, the government said some of the claims and observations contained in the document do not fully reflect the situation on the ground in Tanzania and the steps taken in response to the events of October 2025. It added that comprehensive explanations and updates on ongoing reforms had been shared with members of the European Parliament ahead of the vote.

The government expressed disappointment that these explanations were not fully reflected in the adopted resolution.

Despite differences in interpretation, the government reaffirmed that relations between Tanzania and the European Union remain strong, friendly, and strategic and continue to be guided by established dialogue and consultation mechanisms between the two sides.