RAMALLAH, November 23, 2011 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Authority (PA) Wednesday signed a partnership agreement of €71.6 million, over the course of four years, with the Belgian government to support vital sectors and programs in Gaza, East Jerusalem and Area C.

Minister of Planning, Ali Jarbawi, and the Belgian Minister for the Development Cooperation, Olivier Chastel, signed the agreement in the Planning Ministry headquarters in Ramallah.

A total of €33 million were allocated to the educational sector, to include resumption of building several schools and upgrading education quality, said Jarbawi.

Another €20 million were allocated to support local governance, €17 million to support developing projects in Area C, which is under Israeli control, as well East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and about €9 million in treasury support for the next four years, he added.

Jarbawi thanked the Belgian government for its continuous support to the PA despite the difficult economic conditions in Europe, saying it indicated the depth of relations between Palestine and Belgium.

The agreement included a €20 million raise in Belgian support from €50 to €71.6 million, as a result of the immense efforts of both Palestine and Belgium in the works of their joint committee, which enhanced the bilateral cooperation between them, said Chastel.

He praised the PA’s success in institution building and development and stressed his country’s commitment to the national development plan for 2011 – 2013, indicating that the increase in financial support during difficult economic conditions reflects the importance of the Palestinian cause to the Belgian government.

R.Q./F.J.