Brussels –Prime Minister’s Office: Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa met on Thursday with the European Union Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Mustafa congratulated Lahbib on her new role as European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, emphasizing the importance of enhancing cooperation, especially in the coming period.

Mustafa and Lahbib discussed ways to support the government's plan for rapid and emergency humanitarian response immediately following the cessation of aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip. This effort is in line with the directives of President Mahmoud Abbas and the leadership to coordinate joint efforts with the Palestinian government and its teams operating in the fields of health, education, social development, relief, and local governance.

The Prime Minister also discussed with the European Commissioner the situation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, amid the ongoing assaults by the occupation forces and settlers. He stressed the importance of taking immediate measures to stop these violations and to impose sanctions on settlers and settlement products.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the European Union's continuous support for Palestine, including the emergency aid package provided last year.

For her part, Lahbib welcomed the efforts to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the importance of achieving a permanent ceasefire to allow for the delivery of relief aid, given the significant and urgent humanitarian needs of the Gaza Strip's population.

The European Commissioner reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to continuing its provision of emergency support for the Palestinian people and their humanitarian needs, both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. She also reiterated the EU’s ongoing support for UNRWA, which remains irreplaceable.

The meeting was attended by Palestine’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, Amal Jado Shakaa; Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Al-Ahmad; Assistant Foreign Minister, Ambassador Omar Awadallah; and Second Secretary Suha Ghateet.