Commission provides extra funds for Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia

The European Commission is providing an extra €34.5 million, under the MEDA programme, to support co-operation actions in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia. The new funding, which complements the National Financing Plans for 2002, will support two projects: "Rehabilitation programme of the areas affected by terrorism in Algeria" and "Tempus" in seven countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia).

Rehabilitation programme of the areas affected by terrorism in Algeria

The aim of this programme is the durable re-establishment in their place of origin of people moved because of terrorism in the North-West region of Algeria. The programme will rehabilitate the social infrastructures and means of production in the areas hit by terrorism.

The principal actions to be taken are the rehabilitation and equipment of schools and health centres, the reinforcement of houses and sanitation and drinking water networks, as well as land improvements allowing the resumption of agricultural activities.

The global EU contribution to this four year programme is €30 million, of which €16 million were committed in 2003 and €14 million in 2004.

Extension of the Tempus Programme to the MEDA partners

The Tempus Programme helps reform and modernise higher education systems by developing inter-university co-operation between the EU and its partners.

From 2003, the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Lebanon in Tempus was possible under the MEDA programme. These partners will benefit from the experience of Tempus and its powerful network with a view to contributing towards the achievement of one of the key objectives of the Barcelona declaration, namely the social, cultural and human partnership.

The Commission has now engaged €20.5 million to support the participation of these partners, except the Palestinian Authority, in Tempus. The Palestinian Territories will be the object of a separate financing decision.


Information on the MEDA programme can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/med/index_en.htm

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• The Commission approves development operations worth over EUR 140 million for Morocco, Egypt and Jordan  (7/4/2004)