The European Union has provided a contribution of 43 million euros to help the Palestinian Authority pay the salaries and pensions of its employees and civilian retirees in the West Bank. This support, according to a statement by the European Union today, Friday, will help the Palestinian Authority to meet part of its obligations towards its Palestinian civil servants, as it continues to face a very difficult financial situation as a result of the protracted economic crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories. This situation is seriously exacerbated by irregular payments of the Palestinian clearance tax and ongoing deductions by Israel. The statement confirmed that a contribution of EUR 43 million was provided by the European Union through the first tranche of short-term emergency financial support to the Palestinian Authority. The payment targets civil servants working mostly in the social sectors of health and education in the West Bank as well as pensioners. This short-term emergency financial supp ort to the Palestinian Authority aims to address its most urgent financial needs and support its substantive and credible reform agenda. 'The European Union continues to make significant contributions to the Palestinian Authority budget, at the most critical times, to help pay civil servants and pensioners. We support Palestinian teachers, health workers and social workers who are crucial to education, health and social care services. Our contributions to civil servants' salaries and pensions demonstrate once again our longstanding support for Palestinian state-building efforts,' said Deputy EU Representative Maria Velasco, according to the statement. 'The EU also continues to call on Israel to stop deducting Palestinian tax revenues and to respect its obligations under existing agreements. In addition, Israel must take immediate steps to improve the deteriorating economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, such as removing restrictions on the access of Palestinian workers. The EU and its Membe r States remain the most reliable and committed donors and partners to the Palestinian people.' Source: Maan News Agency