JERUSALEM, September 6, 2016 (WAFA) - The European Union (EU) contributed on Monday €28 million toward payment of August salaries and pensions of 65,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, according to an EU press release.

The Netherlands contributed €1 million earmarked specifically for salaries in the justice sector.

“By this contribution, the EU has disbursed €134 million out of the €168 million that the European Union allocated this year to support the Palestinian Authority payment of salaries, pensions, social allowances, and referral to East Jerusalem hospitals,” said the press release.

“The EU and it Member States remain the most reliable and committed donors to the Palestinian people. This support helps in securing the PA’s fiscal sustainability and protecting its institution-building achievements,” it said

Most of the European Union‘s assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) is channeled through PEGASE, the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent Palestinian national plans.

As well as helping to meet a substantial proportion of its running costs, European funds support major reform and development programs in key ministries to help prepare the PA for statehood.

Since February 2008, almost €2.1 billion have been disbursed through the PEGASE Direct Financial Support programs.

In addition, the EU has provided assistance to the Palestinian people through UNRWA and a wide range of cooperation projects.

M.A.