Occupied Jerusalem, Sept. 29 (SANA) The European Union and several European countries, including France, Germany and Denmark, have pledged €20 million (about $22.8 million) in urgent support for Palestinian government development programs in Area C of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported Tuesday.
The commitment follows a cooperation agreement signed by Palestinian Finance and Planning Minister Istifan Salameh and Henrike Trautmann, the European Commission’s director for the Middle East.
The agreement aims to address the needs of Area C residents, particularly vulnerable groups. It will support urban development, local administration, public facilities and services through programs implemented by the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government and the Palestinian Land Authority, WAFA said.
Salameh said European financial and political support would help improve Palestinians’ living conditions and enable them to remain on their land.
He called for a stronger emergency response to growing needs, citing Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods, pressure on the Palestinian economy and the withholding of Palestinian public funds for a 17th consecutive month.
R.D/MF
