26/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU is following the issue of tax transfers from Israel to the Palestinian Authority carefully. Replying to a question from EUROPE on the statement of 25 March about the resumption of tax transfers from Israel to the Palestinian Authority, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton reiterated that the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of December 2012 on the Middle East peace process state that “the contractual obligations, notably under the Paris Protocol, regarding full, timely, predictable and transparent transfer of tax and customs revenues have to be respected”. He said that the issue is closely being closely monitored by the EU and is discussed bilaterally with the two parties. The spokesperson added that the issue was tackled at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on Palestine in Brussels on 19 March (see EUROPE 10810). (CG/transl.fl)