Brussels, 19/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the European Commission approved the rural development programme for Saxony in Germany under the Community LEADER+ initiativee. During the 2001-2006 period, total expenditure under the programme will be EUR 43.720 million, of which EUR 21.86 million comes from the community budget and EUR 14.573 from the private sector. The priority objectives of the programme are: improving the economic conditions and quality of life in rural areas; improve the qualifications of people living in rural areas (particularly women, young people and people from deprived backgrounds); preservation and maintenance of natural resources. Nine local action groups chosen in Saxony will be beneficiaries of the programme.