EU Grants Palestinian Authority 35 Million Euros 

(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) The European Union Monday granted the Palestinian Authority 35 million euros to help improve living conditions of Palestinians in the occupied territories, according to an EU press release.

It said EU foreign affairs and security chief Catherine Ashton signed with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Brussels two financing agreements for a total value of 35 million euros.

This funding will enable the building of a medium scale wastewater treatment plant in Tubas and Tayasir areas in the West Bank worth 22 million euros and another 13 million euros for the upgrading of border crossing infrastructure at the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing point, which is currently the only functioning goods crossing point in the Gaza Strip, Palestine's (WAFA) news agency reported.

"Through this investment, the EU will significantly contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the Palestinian population through two separate projects in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip," said Ashton.

"Fully aware of the scarcity of water resources in the occupied Palestinian territory, the EU has identified water as one of the focal sectors of its assistance," she said.