No. 14/05
February 9, 2005
EU WELCOMES
CEASEFIRE AND ANNOUNCES €250 MILLION IN AID FOR PALESTINIANS
IN 2005
EU Commission President
José Manuel Barroso today welcomed the ceasefire declaration
made by Israeli President Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
"I strongly welcome the truce declared yesterday
by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas. It is my sincerest hope that this will lead
to a definitive end to years of violence in the Middle
East and put us back on the path towards a lasting peace
between two states - Israel and a viable, democratic Palestinian
state - living side by side in peace and security in the
framework of a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East,
as laid out in the Roadmap. I urge Israelis and the Palestinians
to pursue this goal with determination. As Commissioner
Ferrero-Waldner has indicated, the European Commission stands
ready to support the next steps with concrete help worth
€250 million."
EU External
Relations Commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner, returned from a February 6-8 visit
to the Middle East, announced the European Commission’s
plan to allocate around €250 million in 2005 to support
further steps towards the creation of a viable Palestinian
state. Part of this allocation may used to help rebuild
shattered infrastructure. The package will include:
*
Support for political and financial reform in the Palestinian
Authority including an early contribution to the World
Bank Reform Trust Fund of €70 million – to be paid in
installments and subject to benchmarks;
* A substantial contribution to the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA);
* An Infrastructure Facility to support urgent
projects and basic services. This Facility could, among
other things, be used to address Palestinian needs following
Israel’s disengagement from Gaza and Northern Parts of
the West Bank. Projects are still to be identified but
the Commissioner’s visit revealed support to the reconstruction
of the Sea Port as a possibility that that should be further
investigated.
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: “We
will continue to be a major provider of political and financial
support to the peace process. 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.
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.”
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner discussed future European assistance
with Israeli and Palestinian partners during her Middle
East trip, stressing that the EU can only help if the conditions
are in place for such help to be sustainable. She underlined
the importance of access for aid workers and freedom of
movement for Palestinian persons and goods to help re-launch
the Palestinian economy.
Further Contact Information
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
