Brasília – This Tuesday (27), the European Parliament approved a trade agreement between the European Union and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The agreement, valid for ten years, concerns trade of agricultural products and fisheries. Approval came on the eve of the start of discussions, at the United Nations Security Council, concerning the PNA’s request for the establishment of an independent, autonomous Palestinian State.
The measures will enter into force next year. The agreement sets no limits to Palestinian agriculture and fishery exports to the EU. Currently, the Palestinian products are controlled by Israeli customs.
“This agreement offers an opportunity for the Palestinian people, a first step towards the development of a nation, following the logic of a two-state solution (Israel and Palestine) within the context of economic development,” said the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee rapporteur Maria Eleni Koppa.
The European commissioner for agriculture, Dacian Ciolos, stated that the agreement does not contemplate what is produced at Israeli in Palestinian territory. The PNA will be the EU’s smallest trade partner.
In 2009, trade between the Palestinians and the EU stood at 56.6 million euros. The agreement may be extended.
*With information from Agência Lusa. Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
