Ramallah – Prime Minister’s Office – Under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, the seventh package of the Area C Development Programme in the West Bank was signed at the Prime Minister’s office in Ramallah. The new package, funded by the European Union and the Government of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW), amounts to a total of 6 million euros.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Local Government, Sami Hajawi, and the European Union Representative to Palestine, Alexandre Stutzmann, in the presence of the Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to Palestine, Oliver Owcza, and the Director General of the Municipal Development and Lending Fund, Mohammad al-Ramahi.

This latest funding package marks the seventh phase of the programme, and continues a series of previous packages, which has been funded since 2015 by a consortium of donors, including the European Union, Denmark, the French Development Agency, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the British government, and the German government. The Municipal Development and Lending Fund is responsible for managing the funds and implementing the projects under the programme’s packages, in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government.

"This package will support 12 localities across different governorates, benefiting about 33,000 citizens. It will strengthen our people’s ability to stay and remain steadfast on their land, despite the ongoing challenges and actions imposed by the Israeli occupation," stressed Minister Sami Hajawi.

"The signing of this agreement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting our people in the so-called Area C. It also highlights our successful partnership with international partners, especially the European Union and the German government, through the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and the German Development Bank. We are deeply grateful for their continued support, which is vital to the success of our programs," Hajawi added.

Alexandre Stutzmann, the EU Representative to Palestine, emphasized that: "This support is not just about constructing new buildings or infrastructure; it is about sustaining hope for Palestinians, from Gaza to Jenin. It is about strengthening and supporting the Palestinian presence in Area C, which is more important now than ever before."

“Area C is a major part of the occupied Palestinian Territory. It represents 60% of the West Bank and home to over 300,000 Palestinians; which means that Area C is fundamental for the contiguity of the West Bank and for the viability of the future state of Palestine. It's clear and basic: without Area C, there will be no viable, independent Palestinian state," Stutzmann further underscored.

"The significance of Area C Development Programme lies in its Palestinian leadership and alignment with the needs of the local population in this area. It is implemented through the Government of Palestine and by Palestinian hands. The EU calls for a fundamental change in the Israeli policies in Area C to align with international law and United Nations resolutions, allowing for Palestinian development in this area."

For his part, German Representative to Palestine Oliver Owcza said: "In recent days and months, we have witnessed settler violence, the latest being yesterday’s attack on a school in Arab Al-Ka’abneh, where illegal access has been enforced, and physical violence has been executed against students and teachers. We completely reject this unacceptable settler violence, it has to stop, but we have to redouble our efforts to actually stop it."

"Development in Area C must continue. We share the EU's commitment to the new steps under this programme, with Germany contributing 2 million euros to this new phase," Owcza added.