Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative signed on behalf of the EU two agreements with Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad that will enable the building of a medium-scale wastewater treatment plant in Tubas and Tayasir areas in the West Bank (€22 million) and the upgrading of border crossing infrastructure at the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing point (€13million).

Two projects that will benefit Palestinian people will count with EU funds. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton and Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad have signed two agreements in which the EU will contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the Palestinian population through two separate projects in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In August 2011, the EU approved €115 million for Palestine in a European assistance package.

With a total value of €22 million, the EU will contribute to the water and sanitation in the West Bank. This project under the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument will enable the financing of a medium-scale wastewater treatment plant in Tubas and Tayasir areas. It will be the second wastewater treatment plant of its kind in the West Bank. The project will also be the first to re-use the treated water for agriculture purposes. Water and Water Sanitation are a focal sector of the EU’s financial assistance to the Palestinian people.

In addition, the EU will contribute to the upgrade of Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossing point in the Gaza Strip with €13 million. This project is part of the commitment made by the European Union Foreign Ministers in the aftermath of the Gaza flotilla in 2010 to extend the EU’s support to the improvement of the crossings infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. It will allow the expansion of the only currently open goods crossing point in the Gaza Strip and consists of the construction and expansion of hard infrastructure (loading and inspection areas, warehouses etc.) and the supply of equipment (IT, weigh-bridge, x-ray equipment).