Press Release: First rural development programmes for the period 2007-2013 agreed: Czech Republic and Sweden

The Rural Development Committee (consisting of representatives of the 27 Member States) gave a positive opinion on 23 May 2007 to the Rural Development programmes of the Czech Republic and Sweden for the next financial period 2007-2013. Financial aid of € 3 615 million for the Czech Republic and € 3 917 million for Sweden has been allocated for the two programmes. These programmes are defined to guarantee infrastructure, create new income opportunities for rural regions, promote growth and fight unemployment. The Commission still has to formally adopt the two programmes in the next weeks. The approval of the programmes for the other countries will follow in the next months.