Brussels, 06/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Food security, the social sectors, road infrastructure and domestic security and stability will be the four sectors on which EU development aid to Niger will focus for the 2014-2020 period. This announcement was made by European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs while visiting Niamey on 6 November. €542 million will be granted to Niger over the next seven years, subject to final approval by the Council and European Parliament. Piebalgs' visit comes as part of his tour of the countries of the Sahel (see EUROPE 10957). During his visit, he met Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou, who confirmed that he will take part in the European Development Days in Brussels on 26-27 November. Piebalgs also signed four financing agreements and an addendum to an existing project totalling €181 million. These programmes directly address Niger's multiple challenges - security, development and food security. (OL/transl.fl)