13/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 3 December, the European Commission approved eight regional operational programmes (OP) for the Czech Republic running from 2007-2013. These OPs make up a total investment of over €7.6 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). With this investment, the European Union hopes to help these regions to achieve balanced economic and social development. The OPs concern: (1) Moravia Silesia, in which the ERDF will invest €716 million; (2) enterprise and innovation, €3.04 billion; (3) Central Moravia, €657 million; (4) Central Bohemia, €599 million; (5) the Northeast, €745 million; and (8) the Southwest, €620 million. (G.B.)