The European Union and Egypt Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding under which Egypt receives a 558-million- euro assistance package up to 2010, according to dpa. The agreement, signed by EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Fayza Aboulnaga, is part of a programme under which the EU aims to deepen relations and promote progressive integration with its neighbours. "We are supporting Egypt's own reform programmes, reflected in the priorities for action jointly agreed in the Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy," Ferrero-Waldner said. EU officials said the action plan involved targeted assistance in trade, customs, agriculture, transport, energy and science, including co-operation in legal migration, border management and visa-granting. Further key areas were reforms in the areas of democracy, human rights and justice, and supporting Egypt's own political reform agenda.
