BRUSSELS, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Monday announced a nearly 900-million-euro (about 1 billion U.S. dollars) international package to support the early recovery of Gaza, while reaffirming financial backing for the Palestinian Authority and its reform efforts.
Speaking after a meeting of the Palestinian Donor Group in Brussels, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica said the newly launched Team Gaza initiative had secured a preliminary recovery package of nearly 900 million euros, including 257 million euros (about 292 million U.S. dollars) proposed by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.
The initiative, joined by several European countries, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, the World Bank and other partners, will focus on restoring essential services, rebuilding critical infrastructure and strengthening governance in Gaza.
Suica said the EU had also agreed with Israel to move forward with two early recovery projects on water supply and solid waste management, while stressing that effective implementation requires a ceasefire, safe humanitarian access, cooperation with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas laying down its arms.
She called for the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by Israel, saying they are essential for the Palestinian Authority to continue paying salaries and delivering basic public services.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa welcomed the EU initiative and said the Palestinian government had made substantial progress on its reform agenda despite mounting political and financial pressures.
He urged greater international support for Gaza's recovery, while emphasizing that reconstruction would require improved security conditions, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the reopening of border crossings. ■