Around 30 officials from PA ministries and the European Union convened to exchange their views on all key political, economic and development sectors.
The meeting was the eighth time representatives from the two sides have met as part of this high-level policy meeting. It was also the first time the joint committee has taken stock of the work done during the year on the committee’s expanded group of six separate policy dialogue forums on issues ranging from human rights to trade.
The Palestinian side was headed by Mazen Jadallah, advisor to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Institutions Performance Affairs, and Christian Berger, director for North Africa and Middle East in the European External Action Service, represented the European side.
“The successful holding of this Joint Committee and the increased PA ownership of the ENP process is testament to the strengthened institutional capacity of the PA,” said the EU statement. “The EU has been instrumental in supporting the Palestinians in their state-building efforts. These efforts will continue following the Palestinian enhanced non-member observer state status at the United Nations.”
The joint committee is currently the highest level body bringing together officials from the EU and the PA. It takes place on an annual basis in Brussels and Ramallah in the context of the ENP and the EU – PA Joint Action Plan.
The EU – PLO joint committee reviews the work done by a total of six policy dialogue forums, known as subcommittees, which cover human rights, good governance, rule of law, trade, internal market, agriculture, education, culture, social affairs, energy and water issues.
M.S.
via Palestine News & Info Agency – WAFA – PA, EU Finalize Joint 5-Year Action Plan.
Related articles
- EU backs Palestinian state even if split on UN vote (expatica.com)
- | Roger Waters represents Global Civil Society at UNGA for Palestine! (truthaholics.wordpress.com)
- The Neighbours of the EU’s Neighbours: Diplomatic and Geopolitical Dimensions beyond the ENP (wdsi.wordpress.com)
- EU countries oppose Israeli settlement plan (europeinside.org)
- BRUSSELS – Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has mocked EU foreign ministers’ “dismay” over his plan to split Palestine in three and to take away its capital. (familysurvivalprotocol.com)
- Irish Foreign Minister plans to push for EU ban on settlement products (mondoweiss.net)
Israel-Palestine 