ECU 370 million to fight unemployment in the Basque country
The European Commission has approved an aid programme to the Basque country which will involve the allocation of ECU 370 million from the Structural Funds. The main aim of the programme, which will run until the end of 1999, is to reduce the level of unemployment in this region, which reached 22.4% in 1996. It is hoped to create some 13,000 new jobs as a result of the programme. Community aid will focus on five main priorities: - Supporting employment, competitiveness and the internationalization of economic activity; - Development of communications linked to economic activity (road, rail and ports); - Protection of the environment; - Support to research, technology and innovation; - Local and urban development. A good part of the aid awarded to research, technology and innovation will go towards the construction and equipping of two new technological centres, as well as to research projects in existing centres.
Countries
Spain, France