Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner announces financial support to the Palestinians in 2005

Following her visit to the Middle East 6-8 February, and the Ceasefire Declaration made by the Israelis and Palestinians at Sharm el Sheikh, the Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner has announced the European Commission expects to make around €250 million available in 2005 to support further steps towards the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Part of this allocation may used to help rebuild shattered infrastructure.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: "We will continue to be a major provider of political and financial support to the peace process. It is essential that the Palestinian people see a concrete dividend of moves towards peace, and we will make funds available to help President Abbas deliver tangible improvements in his people's living conditions. We will also support the reforms and institution building necessary to build up the Palestinians' government capacity, and support the reconstruction of infrastructure and basic services".

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner discussed with Israeli and Palestinian partners during her Middle East trip future European assistance, stressing that the EU can only help if the conditions are in place for such help to be sustainable. She underlined the importance of access for aid workers and freedom of movement for Palestinian persons and goods to help relaunch the Palestinian economy.

The funding will now be programmed in the light of the Commissioner's discussions in the region. The package will include:

• Support for political and financial reform in the Palestinian Authority including an early contribution to the World Bank Reform Trust Fund of €70 million - to be paid in installments and subject to benchmarks
  
  
• A substantial contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
  
  
• An Infrastructure Facility to support urgent projects and basic services. This Facility could, among other things, be used to address Palestinian needs following Israel's disengagement from Gaza and Northern Parts of the West Bank. Projects are still to be identified but the Commissioner's visit revealed support to the reconstruction of the Sea Port as a possibility that that should be further investigated.

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• EU Commissioner Michel visits Palestinian territories to assess humanitarian emergency (25/11/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Israeli Practices affecting human rights of Palestinian People and other Arabs in Occupied Territories (8/11/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (2/11/2005)
• EU Commission proposes comprehensive EU strategy for Palestinian support  (5/10/2005)
• EU Commission to support Palestinians with €280 million in 2005  (19/9/2005)
• European Commission welcomes Israeli disengagement from Gaza and prepares further measures to support peace process (25/8/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - ECOSOC: Economic and social repercussions of Israeli occupation on Palestinian people (27/7/2005)
• EUHR Solana remarks on meeting Palestinian Prime Minister Qurei (12/7/2005)
• EU Election Observation Mission for Palestinian Legislative Council Elections (23/5/2005)
• Commission provides EUR 28.3 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians  (10/5/2005)
• President Barroso's statement on the Middle East declaration (9/2/2005)
• EUHR Solana welcomes the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit (8/2/2005)
• EU and Middle East (16/9/2002)