Money alone will not bring the Palestinian State any closer

The Palestinian Reform and Development Plan launched on 17 December 2007 in Paris had to lay an institutional and economical foundation for the future Palestinian State within a period of three years. In answer to a question put by Frieda Brepoels, Member of the European Parliament for the N-VA, the European Commission revealed that it made €692 million available up to the end of 2010. This sum was spent among others on salaries for doctors and teachers, social assistance for vulnerable Palestinian families and fuel for the power station in Gaza. Fifteen EU Member States contributed a further €265.32 million. Belgium’s contribution amounted to €9 million. The European Commission admits that the financial level of the last few years cannot be maintained in the medium term without a breakthrough in the peace process. For this reason, the N-VA has been calling on the EU for years to take on the role of 'player' instead of just 'payer'. Any financial efforts must be linked to strong political pressure to make sure that international law is respected in the Middle East, including when humanitarian and development aid are provided. If not, the EU will continue to throw money into a bottomless pit.