|
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
EU pledges $650m for Palestine
Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:42:34
|
French FM Bernard Kouchner (front left), ME envoy Tony Blair (c) and Israeli FM Tzipi Livni
|
The EU has launched a day of pledges of aid to the Palestinians by promising $650 million, a boost in the contribution by a key donor.
In 2007, Europe contributed some 1 billion euros ($1.45 billion) to the Palestinians. About half of that came from the European Union and the rest from member states.
Nearly 90 countries and international organizations are gathering in Paris to announce how much they're willing to spend to help revive the moribund Palestinian economy and build the institutions of a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is asking for $5.6 billion over three years. On the eve of the conference, Fayyad was optimistic, saying he was encouraged by statements of support from the donors.
The EU is to boost its aid by pledging $650 million for 2008, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner said.
Ferrero-Waldner said she couldn't say yet how much the EU would contribute in 2009 and 2010, since she didn't know what the available EU budget would be, but suggested the aid would roughly hold steady.
Ferrero-Waldner and Fayyad urged Arab states to do more. Since 2002, Arab League members have been promising the Palestinians $55 million a month, but have not always paid in full.
MSH/BGH
|
|
|
|
|
|