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Greece helps Palestinian Authority to cover arrears to private sector for vehicles and police uniforms

The Government of Greece is contributing half a million Euros (over one million shekels) to help the Palestinian Authority (PA) settle bills due to the private sector in the field of security and rule of law. Through this assistance, Greece is providing critical support to the private sector and to the PA, in a bid to help sustain the economy and ease the ongoing difficult fiscal situation faced by the PA.

Greece is providing the funds, which will be disbursed in three lots, through the EU's dedicated mechanism for assistance to the Palestinians, PEGASE, which channels EU assistance to build the institutions of the future Palestinian state. A number of West Bank businesses that provide supplies for the Civil Police, the Civil Defence and the Ministry of Justice will benefit directly from this cash injection. The first contribution of €200,000 will pay back arrears relating to the purchase of vehicles and Civil Police uniforms.

Speaking today about the contribution, the Greek Consul-General Mr Sotorious Athanassiou said: "Greece has been steadily supporting the Palestinian State-building efforts and is constantly contributing to strengthening both the private sector and the Palestinian Authority institutions. In this framework, our €500,000 contribution aims at helping the Palestinian government to continue its crucial work in the Rule of Law sector."

This is the first time that the Greek Government has contributed to the Palestinian Authority through the EU's PEGASE mechanism, emphasising the commitment of the Greek government to help reinforce and build the PA's institutions.

The arrears repayment scheme is one of a number of initiatives by the European Union to support the PA through PEGASE, along with contributions to the payment of salaries and pensions, quarterly payments of social allowances to families in need and the continued provision of industrial fuel for the production of electricity in the Gaza Strip.

For further information in Arabic and English on the EU's assistance to the occupied Palestinian territory (including through PEGASE) please visit: www.delwbg.ec.europa.eu

Contacts:

Contact:

Alix de Mauny, Press Office, European Commission Technical Assistance Office, 02-5415888
Out of hours number: 054 802 4915

and

Greek Consulate
31 Rachel Imenou St,
Katamon, Jerusalem
Telephone: 02-5619583.