RAMALLAH, December 22, 2009 (WAFA)- The Italian Government, handed over 25 Aprilia Pegaso motorbikes (650 cc), 1 towing vehicle Iveco, 2 mobile offices VW Crafter and equipment (road signs, speed guns etc) to the PCP Traffic Unit through EUPOL COPPS.

The handover ceremony took place, today, at the Guards and Protection Unit of the PCP in Al-Tireh, Ramallah, and was presided over by Deputy Chief of PCP, Brigadier General Jihad AL MUSEIMI; The Consul General of Italy, Mr Luciano Pezzotti; EUPOL COPPS Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Ari Sarjanen and other PCP officers and UN representatives.

Brigadier General Al-Museimi affirmed that “this ceremony is another Italian generous support to the Palestinian Civil Police. This is not the first time that Italy has provided us with motorbikes and we are sure that this is not the last time in doing so.

Al-Museimi also underlined the excellent cooperation with the EU affirming that “behind the financial support, the EU is working very closely with us in other important tools such as trainings, inside and outside Palestine”.  In this context, “I would like to highlight that the results of EUPOL COPPS in the region are being very positive.  Therefore “we want the Palestinian population to live in dignity and peace as in other nations in the world”.

Pezzotti stated that he was “very proud to be here today in order to improve the Palestinian Traffic Police. This delivery is not the end of our assistance to the PCP and we are working in future projects”

Sarjanen affirmed that “this handover ceremony represents one of the major examples of the importance that the EU attaches to the Rule of Law.  We are happy to see important developments in the daily situation of Palestinians. Eupol Copps is already working in supporting the PCP Development plan for the next year which is a basic pillar of our work in the future”

Today Italy is also concluding the second level course of Antiquities for 15 tourist police officers at the Jericho Police Training School.