Brussels, 11/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved a cross-border aid programme for Ireland and Wales funded by the Community initiative INTERREG. It covers the Dublin, Mid East and South East regions in Ireland, and Gwynedd, the Isle of Anglesey, South West Wales and parts of Conwy in Wales. The total budget is EUR 65.5 million, of which the European Union will contribute EUR 47.6 million. Commissioner Michel Barnier welcomed the fact that the regions have decided to work together and "proved their cross-border sprit already under previous INTERREG initiatives", adding "The programme will create an added value in terms of economic, social and cultural integration of this territory and its citizens". In a press release, the Commission notes that the programme involves cooperation between the most economically advanced regions of Ireland, including the national capital, with a buoyant strong economy, and areas of Wales which are at the periphery of economic development. The priority areas are economic, social and technological development, including IT (EUR 27.1 million EU contribution); and sustainable growth, including use of the coastline, the landscape and tourism (EUR 18.1 million contribution).