THE European Union (EU) is currentlyproviding P180 million in grants to boostthe peace-building, mediation and dialogue in conflict-torn Mindanao as it urges the signing of a peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that will pave way for development in the region.

In a statement, the Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines said that the fund is the organization’s reiteration of its commitment to peace-making and peace-building through mediation, dialogue and reconciliation.

The funding is meant “to improve the response to conflict-affected populations’ humanitarian needs and enhance the respect for their humanitarian and human rights.”

The EU made the grant under its Instrument for Stability, which supports the International Monitoring Team (IMT), as well as local and international agencies involved in both the civilian protection component of the IMT and the International Contact Group.

EU member-states ambassadors visited Cotabato City on Wednesday to reiterate the organization’s commitment to the Mindanao peace process.

Among those who visited the province are Ambassadors Wilhelm Donko of Austria, Jorge Domecq of Spain, Stephen Lillie of the United Kingdom and EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux. They were also accompanied by representatives from the embassies of Belgium, France and Germany.

“Our visit to Mindanao demonstrates the EU’s strong support for the Mindanao peace process. A peaceful settlement to the conflict there is essential for the Philippines’ economic and social development, and we commend the GPH [Government of the Philippines] and MILF panels on their efforts so far,” Ledoux said in a statement.

“The EU commends the parties as well as the International Monitoring Team for their resolve to keep the peace process on track despite the tragic incidents of October 2011 in Basilan,” he added.

The envoys visited Cotabato City to encourage the parties to intensify their negotiations to reach a settlement at the earliest time.

“The EU believes that the timing is right for a decisive push towards an agreement and that such an opportunity must not be missed,” the delegation said.

It, however, also said that it is aware that challenges may still arise even if a peace agreement was signed.

“Issues such as the rule of law and governance will become central in the post-agreement period. Addressing them will require strong and capable leadership from all those concerned,” the delegation said in a statement

In support of efforts to achieve peace, the EU will continue to address the development needs of Mindanao to which it has already channeled P9 billion since the 1990s.

The parties need to constantly remember that the conflict has an enormous cost on the region and that economic development will only be possible with peace, the delegation said.

According to a recent World Bank and World Food Program survey, 41 percent of the households surveyed in mainland Mindanao experienced displacement in the last 10 years, almost a third of them for more than a year.

“Such displacements have considerable costs and represent a major barrier to effective development efforts,” the delegation said.

Overall, the EU and its member states are one of the largest contributors in the peace-building efforts in Mindanao and the single largest contributor to the Mindanao Trust Fund with a contribution of P490 million.