EU to fund socio-economic projects with 370 million Euro

A European Union (Eu) delegation which visited Egypt last week discussed the national indicative program for Egypt, which assesses the key funding priorities for Socioeconomic projects carried out under the MEDA II program in 2002-2004.

"Egypt expects to receive at least 370 million euros for these projects through the MEDA II program," Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ahmed Darsh said following his talks with the delegation.

The projects cover healthcare, basic education and rural development.

The MEDA II program has allocated 5.35 billion euros to the Eu's 12 Mediterranean partners during the 2000-2006 period.

Some 86 per cent of this funding will go to development projects, while the remainder will promote regional cooperation.

It will be further divided into three categories: socioeconomic projects, political and military development and human rights activities.