European Union and the Palestinians
The European Union and the PalestiniansReal Partners Make Real Difference"We need a Palestinian state - that is the ultimate goal and this is the position of all the European Union," Federica Mogherini The European Union (EU) has a long-standing commitment to the vision of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. The EU and the Palestinian Authority (PA) enjoy a strong partnership guided by the principles of mutual accountability, transparency and deep democracy that are essential to the establishment of a future democratic Palestinian state. In the context of the ‘European Neighbourhood Policy’ (ENP), the EU has entered into a number of partnership arrangements, which collectively guide the relationship between the EU and the Palestinian Authority. These include:The Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation signed with the PLO on behalf of the PA which sets out the legal basis for EU-PA relations;The European Neighbourhood Instrument, which defines financial support from the EU to Palestine for the implementation of ENP initiatives;The ENP bilateral Action Plan, which sets out an agreed agenda for political and economic reforms. This entered into force in 2013; The Single Support Framework (SSF), covering 2014, 2015 and 2016 and which sets out assistance priorities, for three sectors of intervention, on a multi-annual basis. The EU is the most important donor, reliable and predictable partner for the Palestinian people. It is present at all levels of Palestinian life, from supporting the establishment of the future Palestinian State, building new infrastructure across Palestine to supporting Palestinian civil society. In the last three years, the EU has provided more than 300 million Euros annually to the Palestinian people.EU Contributions to the recurrent expenditures of Palestinian AuthorityMost of the European Union's assistance to the PA is channelled through PEGASE mechanism. PEGASE is the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the Palestinian Authority Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent Palestinian national plans. It contributes to the PA payments of civil servants' salaries and pensions, and social allowances to the poorest and most vulnerable Palestinian families. PEGASE also supports major reform and development programmes in key ministries, to help prepare for statehood. The mechanism also channels funding to cover the cost of health referrals through the 'East Jerusalem hospitals' (EJH) programme. The health referral bills have been crucial in preventing the financial collapse of key Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem, which provide medical services to the Palestinian population.Since February 2008, almost €2 billion Euros have been disbursed through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support programmes. The three focal sectors of EU assistance The EU supports Palestinian social and economic development in three focal sectors set out in a Single Support Framework: Governance at national and local levelsThe EU continues to promote respect for and awareness of human rights and democratic values in Palestine. The EU supports efforts to develop democratic institutions, including in the justice and security sectors and to increase civic participation in public decision-making.Through the work of EUPOL COPPS mission, the EU is building the capacity of the Palestinian Civil Police and the judiciary. Private Sector and sustainable economic developmentA vibrant private sector is critical in creating prosperity and meeting the employment needs of a rapidly growing Palestinian population. High employment also assists in broadening the tax revenue base, which is a necessary requirement for funding essential public services and infrastructure. The EU supports initiatives that promote inclusive, sustainable, private sector-led Palestinian economic development, including those which work to develop a ‘greener’ economy.Exports are very important to the Palestinian economy, although Palestine is currently highly dependent in this regard on trade with Israel. Nevertheless the EU represents a promising future market for Palestinian products. With this in mind, the EU supported the elaboration and adoption by the PA of a Palestinian National Export Strategy. Water and land developmentPalestinians living in the West Bank have very limited access to land and natural resources, in particular water resources. Just a few Palestinian communities are connected to sewage collection networks. The EU is a major actor in water and environmental protection in Palestine. In the last three years, the EU has invested almost €100 million Euros in the water, sanitation and solid waste management sectors. In the West Bank, the EU is supporting the development of wastewater treatment plants in particular areas where water supply is scarce, such as Tubas, Hebron and Nablus. In Gaza, the EU is investing both in large-scale solid waste management programmes as well as in medium-scale projects with high impact on the welfare of the population, such as the construction of desalination facilities that will provide safe water to thousands of Gazans.EU support to UNRWA UNRWA provides essential services for Palestine refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The EU is the largest multilateral donor of international assistance to Palestine refugees. Between 2007 and 2015, the EU contributed over €1 billion to UNRWA. In addition, the EU has contributed to UNRWA humanitarian emergency appeals and projects in response to various crises and specific needs across the region. The partnership between the EU and UNRWA has allowed millions of Palestine refugees to be better educated, live healthier lives, access employment opportunities and improve their living conditions, thus contributing to the development of the entire region.EU in Area C Area C constitutes more than 60% of the West Bank and at the same time represents the main land and natural resource reserve of the future Palestinian State and is critical for the viability of a two-state solution. Israel retains almost exclusive control over law enforcement, planning and construction in Area C.In line with the recommendations of the EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions, the European Union works in Area C on two fronts: humanitarian assistance and development. The EU provides humanitarian assistance to communities in need in Area C in accordance with the humanitarian imperative. At the same time, the EU works with the Palestinian Authority to develop Area C and support Palestinian presence there. This includes projects promoting economic development and improving the quality of life of Palestinian communities in the areas of the private sector development, the environment and agriculture. The EU consults with the local communities themselves and the Israeli authorities where necessary.?In the last three years, the EU committed around €20 million Euros to support the Palestinian socio-economic development in Area C. While around €23 million Euros were provided for humanitarian assistance through the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO). EU in East JerusalemThe EU's position is that lasting peace must be found through negotiations for Jerusalem to become the future capital of the two states. Over the past years, the EU has worked consistently to support the development of Palestinian communities and the promotion of civil society activism in East Jerusalem. Our flagship for this has been the East Jerusalem Programme – which has now grown to an annual investment of 10 million Euros and covers areas from education to health to private sector development. The programme also supports local organisations working with Palestinian communities in Jerusalem.EU in the Gaza StripSince the implementation of the Israeli disengagement plan in 2007, the Gaza Strip has been subject to three Israeli military operations (2008/2009, 2012 and 2014). Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014 was the third, longest and most destructive operation. The situation remains today precarious. According to the UNRWA, almost 80% of Gaza's population is aid-dependent. Energy and water are also desperately needed, with one UN report predicting that the Gaza aquafer will be unusable by 2020. Only a fundamental change of the political situation (including the lifting of restrictions on movement and access) can allow people living in the Gaza Strip to fully benefit from international assistance, and can lead to a structural improvement of the local socio-economic prospects. The EU remains the largest donor in the Gaza Strip (both in terms of humanitarian and development support). Since 2005, the EU delivered around €1.5 billion of support to Gaza strip.BOX: EU engagement with Civil SocietyThe EU has developed a long-standing relationship with Palestinian civil society and provides significant support for civil society initiatives. Major EU programmes support good governance, human rights, peace-building, gender, and culture. In July 2014, the EU adopted a Roadmap for the EU's Better Engagement with Palestinian Civil Society.BOX: Energy and climate changeThe EU has a long history of addressing and integrating environmental concerns in all its policies and cooperation interventions.?In most cases this support has been part of a regional approach and has been developed over a long and predictable time span.?Palestine has benefited from many different types of sectoral assistance including the development of waste water plants; exchanges of information and best practice in water management and climate change management and mitigation measures.BOX: InfrastructureThe EU's support has taken the form of capital investment to reduce the running expenditures of the PA and provide better services to the Palestinian people. In the last three years, €80 million Euros were invested in the construction of six courthouses, eight police stations, two government compounds in Nablus and Jenin, and new headquarters for the Palestinian Bar Association and the Central Electoral Commission. BOX: EU and Member StatesThe EU and its Member States provide an average of €1 billion in aid annually to the Palestinian people. The EU and its Member States in close coordination with the Prime Minister's Office are currently working toward the first EU Joint Strategy by 2017. It will respond to priorities of the National Policy Agenda 2017-2022. This will better align the financial efforts of the EU and its Member States, clarify the local division of labour, and enhance common sector policy tools. ................
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