Brussels, 04/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 2 March, the EU announced that it would channel €23 million to the Palestinian Authority as a contribution to wages for civil servants and pensions until the end of February. This is the third payment made this year. A European Commission press release explained that in total, the EU has paid €158.5 million to the Palestinian Authority. Finland added €2 million to this amount. This direct aid is allocated under the European PEGASE programme launched in February 2008 for supporting the working costs of the Palestinian administration and, in the longer term, preparing the coming into being of a state if the international community subsequently decides.
On 26 February in Brussels, the EU and Palestinian Authority held a meeting to examine rights and governance in the Palestinian territories. The Commission explained that this was a regular exercise within the framework of a specific subcommittee meeting in this connection, for a second time. This dialogue facilitated a review of a variety of different themes such as protecting human rights in the West Bank and Gaza, women's and children's rights, the freedom of expression, illegal arrests, living conditions and the detention of Palestinians in prisons within a context of judicial reform and security. The EU is playing an active role in this arena, indicated European sources. The European Commission and member states have jointly provided aid as part of the EUPOL COPPS mission in Ramallah. (F.B./transl.fl)