Brussels, 23/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 December, the European Commission agreed to unblock €100 million in aid to Palestinians for 2011. In a press release, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton stated, "This decision is a sign of the strong political and financial commitment of the European Union to the Palestinian Authority and to Prime Minister Fayyad's leadership in building a democratic and viable Palestinian state. Palestinian statehood is critical for any peaceful, workable and lasting solution to the conflict”. Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood policy Štefan Füle explained, "the Palestinian people can count on our continued support in 2011 as in the past”. The funds will be divided into two separate parts: €60 million will be channelled through the EU's assistance mechanism for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, PEGASE1, which was launched in February 2008. These funds will help the PA to cover wages and pensions for essential civilian workers (particularly medical and teaching staff). The remaining €40 million will be allocated to the core budget of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. UNWRA provides basic health, education and social safety net services. So far the Commission has already provided €696 million in direct financial support to the Palestinian Authority through this mechanism, with EU Member States contributing a further €265 million. (B.C. /transl. fl)