28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 24 January, the rural development committee approved the 2007-2013 rural development programmes presented by Denmark (€444.7 million in total from the Community budget), Scotland (€676.3 million), France (€138.1 million for Guadeloupe) and Italy (Val d'Aoste, €52 million, Puglia, €851. million, Sicily, €1.2 billion and Basilicata, €372.6 million). These programmes seek to maintain the infrastructure, create new sources of revenue for rural areas, promote growth and tackle unemployment. The Commission will approve them in the coming weeks. (L.C.)