Brussels, 14/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Immediate access and full liberalisation for a transitional period of 10 years to the EU market, with possible further extension in time, will now be granted to all agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products originating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The only exception from full liberalisation is the specific duty for imports of fruit and vegetables under the entry price system. This initiative is the result of an agreement signed on Wednesday 13 April in the form of an exchange of letters between High Representative Catherine Ashton and the head of the Palestinian Authority, Salam Fayyad. A review clause is envisaged after 5 years as of entry into force. The agreement also envisages new provisions on effective administrative cooperation and assistance. On Wednesday, Ashton declared: “Facilitating Palestinian trade is a crucial element of the state building process which the EU is supporting both politically and financially. This agreement is the tangible expression of our support”. The current Interim Association Agreement already provides for duty-free access to EU markets for Palestinian industrial goods and industrial products. The Palestinian Authority is the smallest trading partner for the EU in the Euro-Mediterranean region and almost worldwide, with total trade amounting to €56.6 million in 2009 where the vast majority of it is accounted for by EU exports (€50.5 million). EU imports from the Palestinian Authority consist mainly of agricultural products and processed agricultural products. (E.H./transl.fl)