JERUSALEM, January 21, 2009 (WAFA)- European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed, Tuesday, the calm in the Gaza Strip, which she said, will “finally allow our aid partners to alleviate the suffering of the population after so many days of distress.”

In a statement issued, Tuesday, Ferrero-Waldner called on all the parties to facilitate movement and access of humanitarian staff and goods at this critical moment including through the opening of the crossings.

She added that the European Commission (EC), as main donor in Palestine, will continue to work closely with partners to address the most immediate needs of the population in Gaza, in the weeks and months to come.

She concluded by saying that, “the reconstruction of buildings and infrastructure will only be addressed at a later stage, when the political conditions are in place to guarantee a more stable environment.”