JERUSALEM, December 12, 2011 (WAFA) - The European Union announced today its latest contribution in two major sectors of support to the Palestinian Authority: the sustainable management of natural resources and the rule of law, Monday said a press release by EU.
The release said that EU launched a €10 million water desalination facility project in the Gaza Strip and the establishment of the Diploma Programme of the Palestinian Judicial Institute.
It said that the Acting EU Representative, John Gatt-Rutter, signed today a Memorandum of Understanding with the Head of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) as well as representatives of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) and UNICEF to note the agreement for the Short Term-Low Volume Desalination facility that will be constructed in the Gaza Strip over the coming three years.
It said that as identified in the Study of comparative options for water resources (June 2011), this medium-term intervention responds to the humanitarian water crisis in Gaza and once completed it will provide safe water for drinking and domestic use to about 75,000 inhabitants in Khan Younis and Rafah Governorates in the Strip.
“I am very pleased to be signing today an agreement with the PA to launch an infrastructure project in Gaza,” said Gatt-Rutter.
He said, “As the EU has reiterated in the past, the continued policy of closure in Gaza has damaged the natural environment, notably water and other natural resources. I hope that this intervention can bring real change for some Palestinians living under unsustainable conditions in the Strip.”
He added, “I want to thank the PWA and the CMWU for their cooperation and commitment in making this project a quality one and in securing that the operation and maintenance of the plant will be sustainable.”
“I also want to thank UNICEF for its important role in making the implementation of our support possible in Gaza.”
EU also marked the onset of a two-year project establishing the first Diploma for Judicial Studies in the Palestinian Judicial system.
Through a €1.5 million grant the EU supports the Palestinian Judicial Institute in carrying out all preparatory work towards an initial training programme for future judges and prosecutors. The project will also upgrade the available training resources by setting-up an Information Resource Centre with a specialized library to provide support to both trainers and trainees.
In the launch ceremony, Gatt-Rutter thanked the Palestinian Judicial Institute and all main institutions of the Justice sector for their support to this project and for continuing to address the education needs of the judicial system; enhancing this way the judicial institutions of the future Palestinian state with competent, effective and professional judges and prosecutors.
Since 2011, the European Union in agreement with the Palestinian Authority directed its support to three focal sectors: sustainable management of natural resources, the rule of law and the development of the private-sector.
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