17/01/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 17 January, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, announced that the EU would continue to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), but she did not give details of whether it would compensate for the reduction in American funding decided on by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The EU and its member states "have provided reliable and predictable funding (to the UNRWA) for decades", and the EU "will continue" in this way, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated, saying that the EU had signed a joint statement in June for its support for the 2017-20 period (see EUROPE 11803). In a press release, the S&D Group at the European Parliament, condemned and strongly protested against the "unacceptable decision" of the US president. Washington has announced a $60 million contribution. In 2017, its contribution amounted to $350 million. (CG)