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Europe to donate $5,2 million to Palestinian presidency
By Agence France Presse (AFP)

Saturday, April 14, 2007

RAMALLAH: Five European countries and the European Commission signed an accord on Friday under which they will give $5.2 million for administrative reforms within the Palestinian presidency. The agreement was signed at President Mahmoud Abbas' office by his chief of staff, Rafiq al-Husseini, and representatives from Britain, Denmark, Italy, Norway and Sweden. "This aid will allow us to improve the work, the performance and the running of the presidency," Husseini said after the signing.

The European Union imposed an embargo on direct aid to the Palestinian Authority last year after Hamas won elections and formed a Cabinet. Norway, which is not part of the bloc, has recognized the new unity Cabinet and pledged to resume direct aid, but the EU has said it would continue to channel donor funds via mechanisms that bypass the government.

The international relief agency Oxfam on Friday urged the EU to resume aid. "Europe's foreign ministers should not miss the opportunity of their forthcoming meeting ... to restore the faith of Palestinians in the European Union," Oxfam International Executive Director Jeremy Hobbs said. The ministers are due to hold their talks on April 23 and 24 in Luxembourg.

"With Palestinian institutions collapsing and insecurity growing, the resumption of international aid to the Palestinian Authority is a necessary step to preventing further suffering and securing a just and lasting settlement on the basis of international law," said Hobbs.

Europe to donate $5,2 million to Palestinian presidency (http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=81419#)