SWEDEN PLEDGES $4.8 TO PA’S SALARIES AND PENSIONS

Al-Quds, 3 Sha’ban 1436/21 May 2015 (MINA) – Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Ulrika Modéer, who is currently visiting Palestine, announced on Tuesday a contribution of SEK 40 million ($4.8 million) to the Palestinian Authority.

The Swedish contribution will be channeled through the European Union’s PEGASE mechanism, and will help the PA pay for May salaries and pensions of around 68,500 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Wafa News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“The objective of the Swedish contribution announced today is to assist the Palestinian Authority to provide basic service to the Palestinian people at a time when it faces many challenges, particularly in Gaza,” said the Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Ulrika Modéer.

“EU remains the most important donor, reliable and predictable partner for the Palestinian people. It is present at all levels of life in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and of course Gaza, from supporting the establishment of the future Palestinian State, building new infrastructure across Palestine to supporting Palestinian civil society,” said the EU Representative Mr. John Gatt-Rutter

“Above all cooperation between the EU and the PA aims to improve the lives of Palestinians and help them move towards viable statehood.”(T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)