Sommaire: May 16, 2002: European Commission welcomes Arafat announcement of elections and reforms and signature of Law on Independence of the Judiciary (Brussels)
Chris Patten, European Commissioner for External Relations commented today in Madrid the signature of the Palestinian Law on the Independence of the Judiciary by President Arafat on 14 May: "This signature constitutes an important step towards reforming the Judiciary in the Palestinian Territories, and the separation of powers. Adoption of this law constitutes one of several contitionalities attached to the EU budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority regarding administrative,
financial and judicial reform. I am pleased that this important step has finally been taken. Every effort must be made now to establish a modern, transparent and fully functioning justice system as one of the core elements for a future, viable Palestinian state." Commissioner Patten told the European Parliament yesterday that "The Palestinian Administration that rises from the ashes of the old must be more democratic, more transparent". In this context the European Commission welcomes
Palestinian Authority President Arafat's announcement yesterday to the Palestinian Legislative Council of holding elections soon and his pledge to press on with reform efforts.
Background:
As regards the Law on the Independence of the Judiciary the European Commission urges the Palestinian Authority to ensure this new piece of legislation and indeed other laws are effectively implemented in their entirety as soon as possible. Whilst this is an important step forward, much more still needs to be done. The European Union will continue to provide assistance to the Palestinian Authority and to the Palestinian Judicial system in its efforts to achieve this goal. The European Union
continues to support the creation of a viable Palestinian State and to work closely with the Palestinian Authority on reforming its institutions and creating an efficient and transparent administration and government.
The EU's financial support to the Palestinian Authority has helped to keep the Palestinian Authority alive as the legitimate governing body that provides essential services to the Palestinian people and only partner for peace with Israel. At the same time the EU's assistance is made conditional on the Palestinian Authority's continuous efforts to improve good governance and the rule of law, perform better with its budgetary and fiscal policy, and increase transparency in fiscal and public
administration.
The European Union's support to the Palestinian Authority already concentrates on reform-related issues. So far the European Union has successfully focussed on reinforcing transparency in the Palestinian Authority's public finances. The EU has helped to consolidate all sources of Palestinian Authority revenue in a single treasury account, which is closely monitored by the International Monetary Fund; we have ensured full responsibility of the Finance Ministry for managing the Palestinian
Authority payroll; and maintained a freeze on public sector hiring and a strict ceiling for expenditures under an austerity budget.
The EU will persevere in its efforts and wants to see an acceleration of the reform process:
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