Brussels, 22/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - Through the written procedure, the European Commission has adopted a decision aimed at re-engaging all the unused credits of four programmes relating to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is a question of the remaining 22.5 million euro that the Commission must charge to budget 2001. This decision especially concerns the programme in support of the peace process in the Middle East (Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza Strip), for which 17.1 million euro have been earmarked, that has also to allow for an intensification of regional cooperation between Israelis and Arabs in the following fields: cross-border cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians; - cooperation in the field f animal health; - combating desertification; - water policy; - aid to refugees. The other programmes concern the Euromed audiovisual programme (1.3 million euro) and the economic indicator network between the EU and Mediterranean countries and the Middle East (3.9 million euro). This decision also allows for an extension of the contractualisation period of these funds until 31 December 2004.