Brussels, 26/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner began her tour of the Middle East with a visit to Cairo on Monday. Her meetings in Egypt will focus for the most part on developing bilateral relations. On Monday, she presented the Commission's €558 million assistance package for Egypt until 2010. The package aims primarily to support the reform process. This sum includes €58 million in interest rates subsidies that could attract in addition an estimated amount of €250-300 million in loans. The announcement of this package comes shortly before the unveiling of an agreement on the action plan, probably on 6 March at the meeting of the EU-Egypt Association Council. The Egyptian, government hesitated a long time before joining the European neighbourhood policy, and even opened a national debate on the matter last year. Other than supporting reform, the financial package will also be used for “governance facility” activities and the promotion of political rights, scientific and technological cooperation, people to people exchanges in education and the involvement of Egypt in European programmes. (fb)