EU and the Palestinian territories: course of relations
1. An interim Association Agreement entered into force in 1997.
The Association Agreement covers the following areas:
- Building an appropriate environment for a Euro-Palestinian dialogue
- Liberalization of the trade sector
- Strengthening economic relations
- Contributing to the economic and social development of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
- Encouraging regional cooperation
Interim Association Agreement
2. An Action Plan, within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, was presented and agreed on in 2004. It stipulates, among other issues, the following measures:
- Intensifying efforts in order to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Consolidating dialogue and cooperation
- Establishing an efficient judicial system
- Reinforcing institutions
- Implementing an efficient public finance system
- Developing commercial relations
- Improving the cooperation in the field of transport
- Reinforcing democracy and the state of law
- Supporting the educational system
Action Plan
3. EU funding (European Commission) promised and paid in:
- 2000 to 2005: € 280 million as an average per year
- 2006: € 340 million
4. The EU + the EU state members funding:
2006: € 696 million
5. The European Investment Bank loans:
- € 204 million (1996-2003)
- € 55 million (2004-2009)
6. EU fields of action in the Palestinian Territories:
- Humanitarian aid
- Consolidation of peace
- Justice
- Environment
- Agriculture
- Health
- Civil society
- Culture
- Private sector
- Refugees
- Education
List of Projects
7. Beneficiaries: public institutions, private sector, education sector, cultivators, Ministry of Justice, municipalities, NGOs…
8. Export to the EU (27 countries)* :
| Year | 2003 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Amount ($ million) | 7.41 | 19.28 |
| Export to the EU/Total export | 3% | 4% |
*Approximate statistics (due to the uncertain political status)
9. Import from the EU (27 countries):
| Year | 2003 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Amount ($Million) | 32.78 | 63.93 |
| Import from the EU/Total import | 2% | 2% |
*Approximate statistics (due to the uncertain political status)
10. European direct investments *: € 85 million euros for the period 2003-2008, which constitutes approximately 14% of the foreign direct investments in the Palestinian Territories.
* From the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, UK and Sweden. (Source: ANIMA-MIPO)
Your reactions
I would like to be brief and thank Europa Jaratona program for its achievments in Jordan.
On: E-TVET reform (Jordan)
It is good to hear that there is someone who really cares about our historical monuments. While reading the article, I was hoping to find so many Tunisian names to make sure that, also, in our country there are people who are hell-bent on preserving what is left of a glorious history. Tunisia, thanks to its location, welcomed many civilizations whose leaders built huge and glorious buildings. Not only in cities near the shores, but also in the far west cities like Sbitla, Kasserin...
I believe that in order to save the surviving monuments, there should be a campaign to make Tunisians aware of the significance of such a loss if those buildings become ruins.
On: Initiatives to preserve Tunisian architecture
I have read this article with cautious and i was not happy of the approaches being written due i guess to lack of real understanding of current environmental issues we are facing. The problem of pollution will not be tackled only through fundings bec most of the money used is not appropriately used and if ever used we seek the traditional methods the old fashion way. We need to look at alternatives , less costs , better and more sustainable output. Waste problems are derived from mass consumerism and lack of understanding of what our lives should mean to us as far as human values and choices we should take in life. Building waste water treatment is needed but what is more needed is eduation and awereness and return to ethics and values. We can keep dumping money on projects but who would assure me that our resources are being well taken care of and not depleted in a fast way? Where is the concept of sustainibility?
On: Mediterranean pollution “hot spots” under control by 2020?
Our partners
.jpg){kind=small}
