MUSCAT: The European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council called for sustained aid for the Palestinian territories on Tuesday following concerns it could be axed after the Hamas attack on Israel.
Foreign ministers from the two blocs met in the Omani capital Muscat following mixed messages over EU aid after Saturday’s unprecedented assault, which put Israel on a war footing.
“They stressed the importance of sustained financial support for UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees),” said a joint declaration read out by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
“And to continue humanitarian and development support for the Palestinians in the occupied territories.”
Borrell said it was “false information” that Germany was canceling aid after Saturday’s attack, which was strongly condemned by the EU.
“The German minister has clearly stated that this was not the case at all, that Germany will continue providing this support,” he told media.
“Certainly looking at the further development of the medium and long term, but not suspending.”
The EU had earlier rowed back comments from neighborhood commissioner Oliver Varhelyi on Monday that the 27-nation bloc was immediately suspending “all payments” to the Palestinians.
The EU’s executive arm said it was reviewing hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) of development aid from the bloc, the biggest donor to the Palestinians, but that payments were not suspended.
EU, Gulf states urge ‘sustained financial support’ for Palestinians
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EU, Gulf states urge ‘sustained financial support’ for Palestinians
- Joint declaration stresses importance of sustained financial support for UNRWA
- As well as continued humanitarian and development support for the Palestinians in the occupied territories
Senegalese president meets Kuwaiti crown prince ahead of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
- Bassirou Diomaye Faye visits Kuwait and the UAE this week to strengthen his country’s ties with Gulf nations
LONDON: The president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, arrived in Kuwait on Monday for an official visit before traveling on to the UAE to participate in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Faye, who was accompanied by ministers responsible for national transformation, African integration, foreign affairs, finance and water management, held talks with Kuwait’s crown prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, on a number of issues, officials said.
The president aims to strengthen ties between Senegal and Gulf countries during his visits to Kuwait and the UAE this week, his office said. And on Jan. 14 and 15 he will take part in the final two days of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, described as a significant annual, international event dedicated to addressing the challenges related to sustainable development, energy transition and innovation.
Faye was welcomed on arrival in Kuwait by the country’s prime minister, Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; the deputy assistant foreign minister for African affairs, Naif Mohammed Al-Mudhaf; and other officials.
