The European Union (EU) plans to launch a multi-year program for the water sector in Egypt, including grants worth 120 million Euros, EU ambassador to Egypt Ivan Surkos said Saturday.

Called EU4WATER, the program aims at supporting the water sector in Egypt and achieving the water security according to Surkos. 

This was announced in a speech during a celebration marking the world water day, inaugurated in Qanater city by Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aati, and Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi along with other senior officials and African ambassadors.

Surkos said that he wishes the program deal to be signed in the summer and its implementation starts by the end of 2019.

The EU contributed to projects worth 450 million dollars over the past 10 years, he said.