Today the European Union has contributed €15.5 million to the early payment of August salaries and pensions of almost 69,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through the PEGASE[1] mechanism. This contribution is part of the EU's financial commitment in 2014 to support the Palestinian Authority in covering its running expenditures.
"We are aware of the enormous financial challenges facing the Palestinian Authority while trying to meet its obligations toward public servants and pensioners in the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza. This contribution is a clear message of support and commitment at this very difficult time" said John Gatt-Rutter, the EU Representative. He added, "We are deeply concerned about the disastrous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip which requires immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access in accordance with international law. The latest round of violence has demonstrated once again the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution for the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile we stand ready to support the Palestinian National Consensus Government in exercising its full responsibilities in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip."
Background
Most of the European Union's 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 the 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 €1.6 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.
[1] Mécanisme Palestino-Européen de Gestion de l'Aide Socio-Economique (PEGASE)
Contacts:
The Office of the European Union Representative: Shadi Othman (02 5415 867, 0599 673 958) http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/westbank/