RAMALLAH, April 29, 2026 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the European Parliament’s vote, in its plenary session held in Strasbourg, on the European Union discharge report for 2024, which led to the removal of restrictive wording introduced by some right-wing blocs in the European Parliament and the retention of the original text. The Ministry said the outcome reflects European recognition of progress in the Palestinian reform process and a rejection of attempts to politicize the issue of Palestinian curricula.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said the vote represents an important victory for Palestinian diplomacy, following intensive diplomatic efforts led by the State of Palestine’s mission to the European Union over two consecutive months, including meetings with rapporteurs of all European parliamentary blocs and active members of the European Parliament.
It added that this outcome reflects the EU institutions’ confidence in the reforms implemented by the Palestinian government and reinforces the EU’s commitment to continue supporting the Palestinian people and their national institutions without subjecting them to biased or unjustified political conditions.
The ministry stressed the importance of the report’s confirmation that EU funding through the PEGASE mechanism is limited to clear and traceable items, including salaries of employees, social allowances, and health entitlements, within the 2024 emergency support package and the multi-year Palestinian recovery and resilience programme (2025–2027), enhancing transparency and accountability.
It also welcomed the report’s commendation of progress achieved in the education reform process and ongoing cooperation with the European Commission, reflecting a serious Palestinian commitment to developing the education system in line with UNESCO standards.
Regarding UNRWA, the ministry stressed the importance of the report’s appreciation of the United Nations response and the measures taken, emphasizing the agency’s vital role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees, and the need to continue supporting it and ensuring its sustainable funding, away from any attempts at politicization or targeting.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called on EU member states and its various institutions to build on this balanced position, strengthen partnership with the State of Palestine, and support its efforts to confront the Israeli blockade and the piracy of Palestinian funds, as well as its development process, in a way that contributes to stability and serves prospects for a just and comprehensive peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
T.R.
