Brussels, 28/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 27 March, the European Commission adopted the second part of its 2013 assistance programme for Palestine which has been allocated an envelope of €148 million. €108 million will be allocated for support of the Palestinian Authority to help it finance its budget deficit, implement its reform programme, meet its obligations to civil servants, pensioners and most vulnerable citizens, and to maintain the functioning of the administration and the provision of essential public services to the population.
The remaining €40 million will be allocated to the 2013 regular budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to support the education, health, relief and social services programmes which UNRWA is responsible for providing for Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Stating that with this contribution the EU is delivering on its promise to help the Palestinian Authority, and that the EU will continue to support the Palestinian people - including through UNRWA - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton urged other donors to do the same.
The first part of the action plan - worth €100 million - was adopted on 15 January 2013 (see EUROPE 10765). (CG/transl.fl)