Brussels, 27/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the EU cautiously welcomed the promising start of inter-Palestinian dialogue launched in Cairo on Thursday 26 February under the sponsorship of Egypt, which has already allowed an agreement to be reached on the continuation of talks - within five thematic committees - with a view to forming a Palestinian government of national unity including both Fatah and Hamas (see related article). “For now, this is just a first step (…) Let's see what happens, but in principle we are supporting that process”, commented Javier Solana, EU High Representative on the CFSP, on Friday in the town of Gaza. The Union will wait to see the result of negotiations before formally taking opposition, he added.
Donors' conference. The European Commission will be joint patron of an international conference for support of the Palestinian economy and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip to be held in Sharm-el-Sheikh on 2 March. On Friday, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced that, on this occasion, the Commission will undertake to provide aid of €436 million ($554 million) for the year 2009. These funds will be used to finance humanitarian aid to the population as well as economic recovery of the Gaza Strip (beginning with urgent evacuation of rubble and unexploded ordnance, and the repair of many buildings and homes damaged during the Israeli military attack). To ensure that this aid reaches the victims, “the priority of priorities must remain immediate and unconditional reopening of all border crossing points to Gaza, on a regular and foreseeable base, not only for humanitarian aid and trade but also to allow people to cross over”, said Ms Ferrero-Waldner in a press release. (H.B./transl.jl)