EU and Israel Hold Talks on Gaza Reconstruction

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica spoke by phone with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday. They discussed relations between the European Union and Israel, the security situation in the Middle East and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

After the call, Suica said the need for a "reformed and functioning" Palestinian Authority was also discussed. On Gaza, she emphasized the need to speed up early recovery projects and continue cooperation on their implementation.

In July, the European Commission and international partners launched the Team Gaza initiative, which aims to coordinate funding for rebuilding basic services and infrastructure. Initial support amounts to about €884m ($1013m). The projects are to focus on healthcare, energy, water management, agriculture and waste management.

The EU also supports reforms of the Palestinian Authority, which it considers essential to the future governance of the Palestinian territories.

However, relations between Brussels and Israel remain strained because of the war in Gaza and Israeli policies in the West Bank. EU member states have long been divided in their stance toward Israel.

(Reuters, mja)