Brussels, 14/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 14 October in Brussels, the European Commission and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) signed a cooperation agreement covering the next three years and fully exploiting the economic and social potential of football. European Commissioner for Sport Androulla Vassiliou was delighted that they have been able to strengthen the ties between the Commission and UEFA during her mandate and she stated, “We are also committed to maximising the impact that sport can have on society as a catalyst for social change in areas such as improvement of health, informal learning and gender equality. We have worked well with UEFA in the past on these issues, and this agreement guarantees that our close cooperation will continue”. UEFA President Michel Platini said, “With the increased support of the European Commission, we will intensify our fight to safeguard the ethics of sport and to promote good governance”. According to the agreement, the two institutions are committed to working together regularly in a tangible and constructive way on matters of shared interest: the integrity of sport, respect for human rights and dignity, non-discrimination and solidarity. The areas of cooperation cover most of the challenges facing contemporary sport: corruption, match fixing, financial instability, doping, violence and racism. Moreover, the agreement targets other issues of less media interest but of great importance, such as the promotion of education and training in football and through football. The Commission is also delighted that UEFA has made a commitment to contribute actively to the European Week of Sport, which will be held for the first time in September 2015. (IL)