06/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU support to country's agricultural sector. On 23 December, the European Commission approved the granting of €18 million for reforms in agriculture and rural development in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). This funding will help the country reach European standards in the agricultural sector and make further progress in European integration. Out of this €18 million, €15.5 million will specifically target poor rural areas and municipalities, and will be implemented under joint management with the World Bank. This funding complements the €56 million already available under the country's 2012-2013 national programme of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. (CG/transl.fl)