EU pledges €300m to Palestinian Authority for 2011

The European Union has pledged €300m to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to support its general budget and developmental projects during 2011. In addition, the EU will continue to offer support to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which helps Palestinian refugees.

The PA’s Minister of Planning and Administrative Development, Ali Al-Jarbawi, made this announcement during the annual consultation between his ministry and the EU. Such consultations provide, stressed the PA, the basis upon which EU aid is based.

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According to Mr. Al-Jarbawi, the ministry has been preparing for this meeting to ensure its success. The annual consultation makes sure that humanitarian aid given by donors such as the EU matches requirements. This, said the minister, “targets necessary projects which can contribute towards the ending of the occupation and state building”.

During the consultation, the projects funded by the European Union are reviewed and decisions are made about current funding and future donations. The priority areas for discussion include law and security, the private sector, fresh and waste water, social protection and support for the city of Jerusalem.

The total assistance provided by the European Union to the Palestinian Authority since 1994 is estimated at more than €4.5 billion. The EU is a key donor to UNRWA.