EU pays €15.5m towards PA salaries and pensions

The European Union has contributed €15.5 million to the early payment of August salaries and pensions today. 69,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners of the Palestinian Authority will benefit from the measure in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
EU representative John Gatt-Rutter commented that "We are aware of the enormous financial challenges facing the Palestinian Authority while trying to meet its obligations toward public servants and pensioners in the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza. This contribution is a clear message of support and commitment at this very difficult time."
He went on to state that the EU is "deeply concerned about the disastrous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip which requires immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access in accordance with international law. The latest round of violence has demonstrated once again the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution for the Gaza Strip".
This contribution comes as part of the EU's 2014 financial committment to support the PA with its running expenditures.
Since February 2008, around €1.6 billion have been disbursed through the financial mechanism 'PEGASE' with more assistance provided to the Palestinian people through UNRWA and other cooperation projects.