Ref. Ares(2016)2100869 – 03/05/2016
Press Release
Jerusalem
3 MAY, 2016
The EU contributes €15 million to the Palestinian Authority for the payment of April salaries and pensions
The European Union made yesterday a contribution of €15 million to the payment of April salaries and pensions of over 66,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This contribution is being channelled through the PEGASE[1] mechanism.
"This month's payment is further solid evidence of our determination both to strengthen Palestinian institutions and ensure the provision of essential services to the Palestinian people," said the EU Representative Mr. Ralph Tarraf. "The EU is well aware of the financial challenges that the Palestinian Authority is facing. Yet strong, transparent, and efficient Palestinian institutions are crucial to maintaining the viability of the two-state solution. The EU's continuing support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people is therefore also a political investment in peace and security for the whole region, " he added.
Background
Most of the European Union's assistance to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent Palestinian national plans. As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of its running costs, European funds support major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood. Since February 2008, around €2.0 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support programmes. In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA and a wide range of cooperation projects.
[1] Mecanisme Palestino-Europeen de Gestion de lAide Socio-Economique (PEGASE)
Contacts:
The Office of the European Union Representative:
Shadi Othman (02 5415 867, 0599 673 958)
Inas Abu Shirbi (02 5415 859, 0599 673 957)
Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: European Union (EU), PEGASE
Subject: Assistance, Humanitarian relief, Poverty
Publication Date: 03/05/2016