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EU approves 250 mln euro assistance to Palestine

Xinhua, March 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission here on Tuesday approved a 252.5 million euros assistance package supporting the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian refugees.

It is the first part of the European Union (EU) 2016 annual support package in favor of Palestine.

Within this package, 170.5 million euros will be channeled directly to the Palestinian Authority, through the PEGASE mechanism, which is EU's main mechanism to support Palestinian state building and the implementation of the Palestine National Development Plan, for the support on areas such as health and education.

The remaining 82 million euros will be a contribution to the Program Budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Near East (UNRWA), which provides essential services for Palestinian refugees across the region.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said these are tangible steps on the ground that can improve the lives of Palestinian people. But these steps are not enough; Palestinian institutions must continue to grow stronger, become more transparent, more accountable and more democratic.

"What we want to achieve is the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side, in peace and security, with the State of Israel and other neighbor," she said.

A second package of measures in favor of the Palestinians will be announced later in the year, according to the EU. Endit