Brussels, 22/08/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 August, the European Union made €40 million available to the Palestinian Authority to help it cover operational costs and allow it to ensure a continued public service. This amount must contribute to the payment of salaries and pensions, to the payment of social benefits for vulnerable Palestinian families and to the purchase of fuel allowing the electricity power plant to provide power for those living in Gaza. The financial aid is in addition to the €440 million that the European Commission decided to make available last December in Paris as support for the Palestinians in 2008. The EU and the Palestinian Authority also used, on Wednesday, part of this €440 million allocation to launch a programme for investment in public infrastructure of up to €37 million. The use of the remaining funds - including the additional €40 million allocated by the EU today - will be the subject of an agreement between the PA and the EU in coming weeks, depending on the priorities set out in the Palestinian reform and development plan, the Commission states. All such funding is channelled through the European Union mechanism for assistance to the Palestinians, PEGASUS. (A.B./transl.jl)