Brussels, 22/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission on Monday announced the opening of negotiations with the Maltese government on the programming of the regional aid that Malta will receive over the first two years (2004-2006) of its membership of the EU. During accession negotiations, it had been agreed that around 65 million EUR would be granted to Malta under Union structural funds, and some 22 million EUR under cohesion funds. Objective 1 of the structural funds is given over to the promotion of development and structural changes in under-developed regions; for Malta, the programming will mostly be based around strengthening competitiveness and the sustainable development of the Maltese economy, but also on maintaining sustainable usage of the environment. The cohesion fund will also co-finance major infrastructure projects in the fields of transport and the environment. The whole of Malta is eligible under Objective 1 of the structural fund for the period 2004-2006. All of the country is also eligible for support from the cohesion fund.