The European Union has decided to allocate 12 million euros in 2011-2015 on the economic development of the Crimea and Sevastopol.

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea Vasiliy Dzharty and European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fule May 13 signed in Brussels (Belgium), an agreement about financing of the program "Support to joint cooperation initiatives in the Crimea."

"Cooperation is very important. And then the money. The agreement - it is a bridge between Crimea and the European Union"- said Dzharty.

The agreement, whose implementation will begin this year, provides for the allocation of 5 million euros for the development of tourist sphere of Crimea, the same amount - for the development of social facilities and 2 million - to attract foreign investment into the economy of Sevastopol.

Money aimed at the development of tourism, will be used to create reference and tourism information bureaus and training center for people working in the recreational area as well as the development of a 10-year plan for restructuring the health resorts of Crimea.

Funds allocated to social development, will be spent on reconstruction of infrastructure facilities - boilers, water pipes, water towers, gas pipelines - in the Least wealthy areas of the Crimea.

According to the Council of Ministers, after the practical implementation of the program, designed for 4 years, 2 more years assigned to audit and evaluation of the use of money.

Should be reminded that in February the EU, with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Council of Ministers of Crimea opened in Simferopol Crimea Regional Development Agency.