The EU and Sweden contribute €19 million to the PA's payment of November salaries and pensions
Jerusalem, 06/12/2016 – 08:56 – UNIQUE ID: 161206_11
he European Union is making today a contribution of €18.98 million to the payment of November salaries and pensions of 65,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This contribution, which is channelled through the PEGASE[1] mechanism, is being funded by the European Union (€14.0 million) and Sweden (€4.98 million).
By this contribution, the EU has disbursed around €153 million this year to support the Palestinian Authority payment of salaries, pensions, social allowances, and referral to East Jerusalem hospitals. The EU and its Member States remain the most reliable and committed donors to the Palestinian people. This support helps in securing the PA’s fiscal sustainability and protecting its institution-building achievements
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, almost €2.1 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] Mécanisme Palestino-Européen de Gestion de l'Aide Socio-Economique (PEGASE)
For further details please contact:
The Office of the European Union Representative
Shadi Othman (02 5415 867, 0599 673 958); Inas Abu Shirbi (02 541 5 859, 0599 673 957)
Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: European Union (EU), PEGASE
Country: Sweden
Subject: Assistance, Governance, Health, Jerusalem
Publication Date: 06/12/2016