European Commission – Fact Sheet
New €38.6 million EU assistance package to benefit the Palestinian people
Brussels, 19 September 2016
This EU assistance will boost socio-economic development and help tackling drinking water scarcity in Gaza
The EU adopted a €38.6 million development package for Palestine[1] It is the second part of the EU's 2016 annual support, confirming the EU's long-standing commitment to the Palestinian people and the viability of the two-state solution. This brings the total 2016 EU support to Palestine to over €291 million.
The newly adopted assistance package consists of the following three programmes which target the needs of the Palestinian population in Gaza, Area C and East Jerusalem:
● Strengthening governance of the Palestinian Authority (€8.1 million): this programme aims at providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority to improve its democratic outlook in view of preparing Palestinian institutions for the two-state solution. In this context, the EU will notably support the Palestinian Authority in meeting its obligations as party of seven core United Nations human rights treaties. This assistance will also help the Palestinian Authority operating penitentiary and judicial facilities in full compliance with international standards and will help carrying out a general population, housing, and establishment census in 2017.
● Improving access to economic enablers (€20 million): through this programme, the EU will continue to support economic development of Palestine by helping to facilitate access to natural resources, water and land, and to enhance competiveness and market access for Palestinian agribusinesses.
● Support to East Jerusalem (€10.5 million):this programme aims at supporting and preserving of the Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem in line with EU's position considering Jerusalem as the future capital of the two states.Building on the successful past interventions, the action will support community based projects through grants to civil society organisations and will notably focus on private sector development, urban planning, protection of socio-economic rights and cultural identity and heritage (with tourism-related potential).
[1] This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Assistance, Economic issues, Education and culture, Governance, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Jerusalem, NGOs/Civil Society, Water
Publication Date: 19/09/2016