Brussels, 20/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad signed, on Monday 19 March, two financing agreements worth a total of €35 million. “Through this investment, the EU will significantly contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the Palestinian population through two separate projects in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip”, Ashton said.
Funding, by way of €22 million, will enable the building of a medium-scale wastewater treatment plant in the Tubas Tayasir areas of the West Bank. In addition to providing sanitation, the project will safeguard groundwater, which is limited, by reusing wastewater for agricultural purposes. “Fully aware of the scarcity of water resources in the occupied Palestinian territory, the EU has identified water as one of the focal sectors of its assistance”, Ashton said.
The second project, to receive €13 million, concerns the upgrading of border crossing infrastructure at the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing point, which is currently the only functioning goods crossing point between the Gaza Strip and the outside world, in the Gaza Strip. Upgrading includes the construction and expansion of material infrastructure (loading and inspection areas, storage depots, etc.) and the provision of equipment (information technology, weighbridge, X-ray equipment). It will be carried out by the Palestinian Authority in coordination with the Israeli authorities. “The EU has repeatedly called for the opening of the crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza”, the EU foreign policy chief said.
On Wednesday 21 March, there will be a meeting in Brussels of the donor coordination group for the Palestinian people, hosted by Catherine Ashton. (CG/transl.jl)