LONDON – The European Union has pledged 240 million euro to the
Palestinian Authority.
EU officials said the European Commission plans to allocate the money to
rebuild the civilian infrastructure in PA areas. They said the focus would
be the Gaza Strip.
"We will continue to be a major provider of political and financial
support to the peace process," EC External Relations Commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner said on Wednesday. "It is essential that the Palestinian
people see a concrete dividend of moves towards peace, and we will make
funds available to help President Abbas deliver tangible improvements in his
people's living conditions."
The EC announcement was issued in wake of a three-day meeting with
Israeli and PA officials to discuss European assistance. The EU has sought
to achieve a high profile role in Israeli-Palestinian efforts.
"We will also support the reforms and institution building necessary to
build up the Palestinians' government capacity, and support the
reconstruction of infrastructure and basic services," Ms. Ferrero-Waldner
said.
The United States, which announced plans to donate $350 million,
expressed satisfaction with the EU grant to the PA. The Bush administration
has complained that Arab states, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council
members, have failed to implement their pledges to help the PA.
"The Gulf States need to pay the pledges that they've made so that
reconstruction can go forward," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
said.