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Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Jerusalem last week. (AP) Last update - 22:13 19/11/2007 EU pledges to back any Israeli-Palestinian peace deal with aid By The Associated Press Tags: Israel, European Union  The European Union promised Monday to back any Israeli-Palestinian deal forged at the upcoming peace conference with aid, and urged Arab governments to open their wallets to help forge a credible Palestinian economy. Israel and the Palestinians have so far failed to reach any agreements ahead of the Middle East gathering set for next week in Annapolis, Maryland. On Monday, the EU foreign ministers endorsed a report - written by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU external relations commissioner, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana - outlining steps to support any peace moves emerging from the Annapolis conference. Advertisement "The report makes clear EU aid will be made available to boost the Palestinian police force, health, education and judiciary departments. Also, the EU stands ready to provide broad economic assistance while continuing humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," Ferrero-Waldner told reporters. "We are happy that Annapolis seems to be taking place," Ferrero-Waldner told reporters. She said post-Annapolis aid measures would benefit the Palestinian economy and, in turn, meet Israel's long-standing demand for security guarantees. "We know that Israel always fears for the security of its population," said Ferrero-Waldner. She said if the Palestinian economy can be revived, there would be hope again for peace. In 2007, aid to the Palestinians from the EU and its member states will total about 1 billion euros ($1.47 billion). "We have been contributing a lot," Ferrero-Waldner said. "It is important now that other donors come forward." She said the EU looked notably to Arab League nations to announce contributions at a Paris donor conference that would follow the Annapolis meeting. Related articles: Blair set to reveal projects for boosting Palestinian employment U.S. to give Nablus $1M in aid in pre-summit boost for Abbas EU resumes direct financial aid to Palestinian Authority World Bank: Palestinian economy cannot be restarted without rehabilitating Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Body of 2008' A U.K. men's magazine pays homage to Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli. Echoes of Thessaloniki A book on Sarkozy's Greek-Jewish roots goes on sale in Greece.   1.   I am interested what the tens of anti-Israelis on this site think 00:11  |  S 20/11/07   2.   Europeans, stop lying. Economy has nothing to do with it. 00:16  |  McQueen 20/11/07   3.   Just another European agression against Israel 01:38  |  Frank 20/11/07   4.   #2 S 02:00  |  Labhras 20/11/07   5.   ANY PEACE DEAL MUST INCLUDE TRANSFER AND EU MUST SUPPORT IT FULLY 02:44  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 20/11/07   6.   Israel Simply Does not want peace; Keep on reading.... 02:52  |  James 20/11/07   7.   Necessary Components for a Viable Palestine 02:56  |  Double Click 20/11/07   8.   #2 McQueen - correct answer to the article, and to me. 08:56  |  S 20/11/07   9.   Isreal, Islam and the New Roman Empire (EU) 22:37  |  Eric 11/01/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Sharon, settler savior, killer of Palestine Responses: 95 Israeli official: Bush call for 2008 peace deal 'positive step' Responses: 108 CIA reveals that in 1974 it said Israel had nuclear weapons Responses: 81 Officials: Progress made in Shalit deal, but no breakthrough Responses: 35 Bush overheard at Yad Vashem saying 'we should've bombed Auschwitz' Responses: 69 Rosner's Domain Bush in Jerusalem: Speaking about "pressure" and "nudging" The way to war with Iran (WTR) From 'The year of change' to 'The year of the comeback'? Rosner's Guest: The Jews are best prepared for a "flat world" Poll: Who is the candidate that will have better policies for Israel? More Headlines 22:18 Blair: Latest Mideast peace push might be 'last chance' 21:13 UN Secretary General condemns Katyusha fire on northern town 22:25 Bush leaves Israel with hope of 'chance of peace' 21:50 At Yad Vashem, Bush says U.S. erred in not bombing Auschwitz 20:37 Holocaust scholar: 'Jew' has become curse word among German youth 20:33 Renault Nissan to invest in Israeli electric car project 12:39 Hamas: Shalit talks halted due to row over prisoner swap criteria 22:52 U.S. ELECTIONS: Doubts on McCain, Clinton's relevance cast too soon 17:26 Hamas: Bush promises 'unacceptable' for next generations of Palestinians Previous Editions Select Day 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec

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