Brussels, 08/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the Commission approved a crossborder cooperation programme between France and Switzerland under the Interreg IIIA initiative. The amount financed by ERDF, concerning the area in France is EUR 20.7 million, out of a total of EUR 41.4 million, part of which is financed by Switzerland. The programme concerns around 4.5 million inhabitants, in a mountainous area with strong common industrial tradition (watch-making, microtechnology, food processing and forest products, etc.). The priorities are: 1) coordinated planning of the crossborder area and above all the promotion of public transport (Community contribution, CC: EUR 6.21 million). 2) The enhancement of natural, cultural, tourist and heritage resources, including coordinated prevention of natural hazards (CC EUR 7.25 million). 3) Encouragement to exchanges of employment, training and improved economic environment, mainly by seeking to harmonise the strong cost and revenue differences (CC: EUR 6 million). Michel Barnier, responsible for regional policy, said he was convinced that the programme would "help to solve the major problems that have emerged in recent years in sectors such as transport, the environment, technical training and logistical and functional coordination".