ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: The European Commission (EC) here on Saturday signed an agreement of Rs1.60 billion with Pakistan for the implementation of “EU-Asian civil aviation co-operation” project.

Chris Patten, the incharge of external relations department of EC, on behalf of the commission, signed the agreement.

Under the agreement, the EU will provide assistance to Pakistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand in the aviation industry.

The overall aim of the project is to contribute to improved aviation safety and enable full growth potential to be met by the Asian aviation and aerospace industries.

The whole exercise will be done through technical expertise sharing and by involving aviation industry regulators both from EU and Asian side.

It will also focus on cooperation towards an aviation safety oversight programme for South Asia and South East Asia.