Brussels, 19/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 19 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad signed a €7 million agreement to support the Palestinian presence and promote social and economic development in Area C (which remains under the control of Israel). “This aid is important for the political and economic viability of the State of Palestine”, Fayyad said on signing the agreement. Ashton stated that the EU's aid in 2013 would remain at the same level as in 2012 - in other words €300 million.
Ashton and Fayyad also discussed the action plan between the EU and the Palestinian Authority and “how best to implement the shared objectives of this action plan, particularly the objective to launch agreement for a fully-fledged association agreement”. Ashton stressed the importance of a Palestinian state based on the rule of law and the respect of human rights, and she highlighted the need to work towards sustainable economic development with budgetary consolidation and the strengthening of cohesion throughout Palestine. The previous day, during his meeting with President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, Fayyad had recalled the difficult living conditions in the Occupied Territories, and had emphasised a lack of access to key resources, such as water.
Ashton and Fayyad also participated in the meeting of the ad hoc Liaison Committee on Palestine. Ahead of the meeting, Ashton stated that money is needed to build sustainable institutions. She called for a full, regular, transparent and predictable transfer of clearance revenue to the Palestinian Authority and for fiscal cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
In the view of Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide, who chaired the committee, Israel's restrictions on Palestinian economic activity do not allow a sustainable economy to be built, and occupation remains a major obstacle. However, it is also expected of the Palestinian Authority that it show discipline in its expenditure and continue its efforts in terms of reform.
Eide said that the economic support to the Palestinian Authority “does not have much sense in itself if it is not part of a political dynamism and outlook”, with the need for a two-state solution. “More than ever we need to try to find a two-state solution as quickly as possible. We are not talking about a deadline”, Ashton said with regard to the two-state solution. “It must be clear that we don't have unlimited time”, Eide added, saying that the Oslo Accords date back to 1994. (CG/transl.fl)