Media Release Route de Genève 46 Case postale Communiqué aux médias CH-1260 Nyon 2 Union des associations Tel. +41 22 994 45 59 européennes de football Medien-Mitteilung Fax +41 22 994 37 37 uefa.com [email protected] Date: 24/01/2003 No. 008 – 2003 UEFA-CAF CO-OPERATION MOVES FORWARD Meridian Board holds successful meeting in Cairo The development partnership between UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) took a further step forward today at a board meeting of the joint Meridian Project held at CAF Headquarters in Cairo on the eve of the 2003 Meridian Cup tournament. The meeting co-chaired by CAF President, Issa Hayatou, and UEFA Senior Vice-President, Senes Erzik, confirmed the importance of the continued co-operation between Europe and Africa and the growing achievements of the Meridian development programmes in providing equipment, investment, education and training to partner associations. Completing a busy agenda the meeting agreed to: · continue the Meridian Project assistance programmes · designate Ethiopia and the Republic of Central Africa as the associations to receive direct aid over the next two years (following the completion of projects in São Tomé e Príncipe and Cape Verde) · extend the direct bilateral links between European and African member associations · improve co-ordination between the UEFA-FIFA-CAF development programmes · hold the next edition of the Meridian Cup youth tournament in Europe in 2005. Commenting on the meeting, CAF President, Issa Hayatou, said: “The Meridian Project is an essential element in the partnership between Europe and Africa. The assistance and aid provided is making a real contribution to football in Africa. We truly appreciate the efforts being made by UEFA and the European member associations and we look forward to further developing our excellent collaboration.” UEFA Senior Vice-President, Senes Erzik, said: “UEFA is proud to continue our co-operation with CAF and to play a role in the continuing development of African football. “We are committed to making further progress in the Meridian Project and I am particularly delighted that the next Meridian Cup will be hosted in Europe in 2005.” For further information: Mike Lee, Director of Communications and Public Affairs: ++41-79 250 53 71 UEFA Media Services: ++41-22 99 44 55 9 .