Brussels, 24/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - As reported in Europe on 22/23 July, p.9, on Wednesday the European Commission adopted a Draft Supplementary and Amending Budget (SAB) No. 4/2002 proposing EUR 70 million more aid for Afghanistan, raising total EU aid to Afghanistan in 2002 to date to EUR 250 million. The aid is planned to "support the new Afghan Transitional Authority in its efforts to build up a central administration, to fund health and social protection projects and to rebuild power and water infrastructure in Kabul". The Commission says that with the aid, the EU is "taking a new step to live up to its pledge of EUR 1 billion over the period 2002-2006." In 2002, it has already committed or programmed EUR 155 million in aid, including EUR 35 million in humanitarian aid and EUR 120 million in an initial recovery and reconstruction programme. At last Friday's Budget Council, the Budget Authority approved the request for a further EUR 25 million from the emergency aid reserve.