03-10-2014 - The EU and The Netherlands contribute around €16.5 million to the Palestinian Authoritys payment of September salaries and pensions The European Union is making today a contribution of approximately €16.5 million for the payment of September salaries and pensions of around 69,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This contribution, which is channelled through the PEGASE[1] mechanism, is being funded by the European Union (€15.5 million) and the Government of the Netherlands (c.€1.0 million earmarked specifically for PA salaries in the justice sector). The European Union will continue to support the Palestinian National Consensus Government as it seeks to exercise full government responsibilities in both the West Bank and Gaza. The Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the territory occupied in 1967 and will be part of a future State of Palestine. At this critical period, we are pleased to demonstrate – together with the Government of the Netherlands- once more our commitment to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority , said the EU Representative Mr. John Gatt-Rutter. I should also like to take this opportunity, just ahead of the feast of Eid Al Adha, to commend the extraordinary work of all those involved in delivering public services, whose efforts we are supporting through this salary payment, and wish everyone a peaceful Eid. Background Most of the European Unions assistance to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent Palestinian national plans. As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of its running costs, European funds support major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood. Since February 2008, around €1.7 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support programmes. In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA and a wide range of cooperation projects.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:45:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015