RAMALLAH, June 30, 2010 (WAFA)- EUPOL COPPS participated in the inauguration ceremony of the construction of three logistics compounds for the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) donated by the Government of Spain today in Betunia  near Ramallah.

This €6 Million project is funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) and coordinated by EUPOL COPPS’ Financial and Logistics Adviser; Mr. Tomás Fernandez Suarez. The construction of the logistics compound will include a light vehicle maintenance workshop; an IT and Communication workshop as well as central warehouses in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron, EUPOL COPPS press release said.

The graduation ceremony was conducted by the Spanish General Consul in Jerusalem, H.E. Ambassador Ramón ANSOAIN, the Mayor of Betunia, Mr Arafat Kalaf; Deputy Chief of the PCP, Brig. Gen. Jihad Al- Museimi; representatives of the International Management Group (IMG) and EUPOL COPPS’ Head of Mission, Commissioner Henrik Malmquist.

The Spanish contribution is part of the international efforts to build the foundations of a Palestinian State. In this sense, Ambassador Ansoain affirmed that “a major component of such State would definitely be an effective and institutional capacity building, based on transparency and accountability. Therefore, the Palestinian Civil Police is regarded as a top priority field that aims to guarantee effectively and efficiently the protection of civil rights, security and safety for all citizens on equal basis”.

Commissioner Malmquist underlined that “these modern and efficient facilities are a clear example of the importance that the EU attaches to the establishment of sustainable and effective policing arrangements under Palestinian ownership” emphasizing that “now the PCP has the full responsibility over this project”.