Brussels, 31/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission approved, a technical assistance programme in favour of Portugal. With a budget of EUR 108.413 million (Community contribution: 81.31 million; contribution by Portuguese authorities: 27.10 million), it will allow for the creation of the necessary conditions for the implementation of the overall strategy for structural funds assistance in the country during the 2000-2006 period. In concrete terms, the programme will bring a support to management, the follow-up, the control and the assessment of the 18 programmes already adopted by the Commission for Portugal. It should also allow for information actions, advertising and training. With regards to the Community contribution, EUR 36.4 million will be allocated by the ERDF and 44.9 million by the ESF.