Strasbourg, 23/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - In adopting, on 18 December, the report by the Belgian socialist, Olga Zrihen on the ruling concerning the promotion of gender equality in development co-operation (joint decision, first reading), the European Parliament has approved the European Commission's proposal, with some changes, including the request that the budget assigned to this ruling for the period 2004-2006 be increased from €9 to €11 million. The Parliament also required that the Commission make the question of gender a "permanent item on the agenda in meetings" with the representatives of partner countries. The report also highlights women's education and training "at all ages" in developing countries, women's participation in the information society and "in the political, economic and social decision making processes", as well as issues of health and the fight against violence.