Brussels could unblock 40 million euro aid package to Palestinians

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2004

BRUSSELS (AFP) — European Commission president Romano Prodi said he was considering unblocking a multi-million euro aid package to the Palestinians to help them cover essential costs.

Speaking after a meeting here with Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei, Prodi said he had received assurances of greater transparency within the management of the Palestinian Authority's finances and was considering making the money available.

The commission has frozen the aid, worth 40 million euros (50 million dollars), and put several conditions on unblocking it.

"There is an effort to make progress in this direction. Answering that, I have committed myself to examine immediately this aspect of the problem, to try to understand how the control is done, and give an...