Brussels, 19/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - According to the European Commission, EUR 497.7 million were paid in 2003 under the MEDA programme. This figure, which is highlighted by the Commission services, has increased compared to the EUR 454 million in 2002 and the EUR 317.8 million in 2001. "Another record" was reached in 2003: the rate of disbursement (payments compared to commitments) stood at 82.9% against only 74.2% in 2002 and 53% in 2001, which would point to an acceleration in implementation of the programme. In 2003 as in previous years, the large part of MEDA funds - EUR 385.8 million - was supplied by bilateral cooperation with eight Mediterranean partners: Algeria, West Bank, Gaza Strip, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia. The remainder - EUR 112 million - was mainly financed by the regional programmes or projects involving the twelve Mediterranean partners, as well as small dimension actions such as studies, cultural activities and information, and technical assistance. In total, EUR 600 million were committed last year in the context of MEDA, that is about as much as in 2002 and 2001. This aid is managed by the EuropeAid cooperation office within the European Commission.