EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner made the announcement in Brussels: "At the conference, the commission will pledge a sum of $100 million, that is 80 million euros."
The pledge comes as health officials cope with a potential pandemic, fears of which were fueled by a recent outbreak of bird flu in Turkey.
Globally, the virus has killed nearly 80 people, most in southeast Asia. But scientists say the human infections have come from direct contact with sick birds -- not from human to human contact.
(compiled from agency reports)
2005 In Pictures
A slideshow of images related to the top news stories of 2005.
See also:
2005 In Review: Text Messaging Takes World By Storm
2005 In Review: Bush's Democracy Agenda Sees Mixed Results
2005 In Review: EU Lives Year Of Gloom, With Future Uncertain