EU resumes aid to the Palestinian ministry of finance

Na de verovering van de Gazastrook kan Hamas inderdaad wel wat geld gebruiken. Ik bedoel, hoe is te garanderen dat geld dat naar de door Hamas gecontroleerde Palestijnse Autoriteit gaat, niet in handen van Hamas terechtkomt?? De PA doet totaal niks om de orde te herstellen en wetteloosheid tegen te gaan, integendeel, het draagt er aan bij. Op de loonlijst van de PA staan onder andere gunmen die nu gewonden in ziekenhuizen doodschieten en tegenstanders standrechtelijk executeren.

 

Ondanks de zogenaamde boycot, heeft de PA vorig jaar meer geld ontvangen van de internationale gemeenschap dan voor de verkiezingsoverwinning van Hamas.

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EU resumes aid to the Palestinian ministry of finance
Date: 11 / 06 / 2007  Time:  12:17
www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=22853

Bethlehem - Ma'an - The European Union announced on Monday that it is to renew economic support to the Palestinian ministry of finance.

On Monday, Palestinian finance minister, Dr Salam Fayyad, and European Commissioner Representative, John Kjaer, signed an agreement to re-launch the European Assistance to the Palestinian finance ministry.

Initially the European Union will provide funding for a EURO 4 million project to support the finance minister in ensuring that Palestinian taxpayers' money is spent efficiently and that all expenditure is accounted for according to international standards.

The EU was formerly one of the largest financial supporters of the Palestinian finance ministry. However, following the success of the Hamas government in the January 2006 elections, the EU withdrew aid to the Palestinian government. Following the withdrawal of aid the Hamas government struggled to function and was often unable to pay employees.

The EU stated in a press release, "With the establishment of the National Unity Government and the appointment of a Minister committed both to the Quartet principles and the development of sound public financial management, the European Commission has decided to renew its assistance to the Ministry of Finance."

Dr Salam Fayyad said, "This support for the Ministry's internal audit and internal control departments will help me ensure that we work in accordance with the best international standards, and that the government can give every Palestinian taxpayer the assurance that their money is being legally and honestly spent."

Kjaer urged the EU to exert pressure on Israel to release the tax revenues owed to the Palestinians.

Although this limited resumption of aid to one ministry of the Palestinian government does not indicate a full acceptance of the Palestinian coalition, it marks a discernible change in policy of the EU.

Salam Fayyad is a non-Hamas minister and member of the Palestinian Third Way party. Hamas, the democratically-elected choice of the Palestinian people in 2006, remains listed as a terrorist organization by the EU, US and Israel, among others.