Brussels, 25/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is to continue providing financial support for the United Nations programme in favour of Palestinian refugees during the period 2002-2005. The Council adopted, without debate, the decision authorising the signature and the conclusion of the new Convention between the European Community and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA). According to this convention, the Community will continue to make money contributions to the UNRWA general fund. This financial commitment, subject to the availability of budgetary resources and financial perspectives of the Community until 2006, is at most EUR 55 million in 2002, 57.7 Meuros in 2003, 60.6 Meuros in 2004 and 63.6 Meuros in 2006. The previous convention (the tenth of its kind) had expired on 31 December 2001.