CELEX: 52012PC0748
Language: en
Date: 2012-12-12
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Union position within the Joint Committee established by the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Co-operation between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority (PA) of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-PA ENP Action Plan

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		52012PC0748
		
			Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Union position within the Joint Committee established by the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Co-operation between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority (PA) of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-PA ENP Action Plan /* COM/2012/0748 final - 2012/0346 (NLE) */
			
				
		
		
			
			   	EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
The Palestinian Authority (PA) and the
European Community (EC) first established contractual relations in 1997 when
the EC and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), for the benefit of the
PA, concluded an Interim Association Agreement on trade and cooperation. On the
basis of this agreement, the EU-PA European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action
Plan was signed in May 2005 for a period of three to five years. 
Within this framework, EU-Palestinian
relations have developed significantly in recent years, with the resumption of
the activities of the Joint Committee, the establishment of initially four
subcommittees and the launching of the political dialogue. On the Palestinian
side, the PA has proven its ability to be a full partner within the European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) through active participation and fruitful exchanges.
On the EU side, the landmark Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 8 December
2009 set out the path for renewed EU engagement with the Palestinian Authority
by expressing the EU’s commitment to “further develop its bilateral relations
with the PA reflecting shared interests, including in the framework of the
ENP.” This development is a result of the increased capacity demonstrated by
the Palestinian side in implementing its reform agenda and within the ENP. 
The validity of the current Action Plan
expired on 30 June 2012 and hence a new Action Plan, building on the EU’s
long-standing support to the PA’s statebuilding efforts is appropriate. In
order to prepare for this new Action Plan, the number of ENP subcommittees was
increased from four to six to enable a better monitoring of the Action Plan.
The new subcommittees are fully aligned with the new Action Plan. 
EU-Palestinian relations take place in the
context of the overall changing political situation in the region and in the
paradigm of the EU’s defining role and added value in global governance. 
The Joint Communication to the Parliament
and the Council entitled A new response to a changing neighbourhood: A
review of European Neighbourhood Policy, outlined a new approach which aims
at a higher level of differentiation, allowing for each partner to develop its
links with the EU based on its own aspirations, needs and capacities, but also
on mutual accountability and the degree of commitment to the universal values
of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as the capacity to
implement jointly agreed priorities. As outlined in the above-mentioned
Communication, the EU will aim for a more simplified and coherent policy and
programme network through focusing ENP Action Plans and EU assistance on a
smaller number of priorities, backed with more precise benchmarks. This new
Action Plan clearly outlines the priority objectives of the privileged EU-PA
partnership fully cognisant of the special circumstances of the PA and the
limitations within which it operates. 
The
European External Action Service (EEAS), in close co-operation with Commission
services and EU Member States, has held exploratory talks with the PA which has
resulted in agreement on the draft Action Plan. It covers a timeframe of three
to five years. In the course of the recent EU-PLO Joint Committee which took
place on 13 February 2012, the parties took note of the ongoing technical negotiations
for a new joint EU-PA ENP Action Plan. The finalisation of technical
consultations on each side was notified through an exchange of letters. 
The EU-PA ENP Action Plan shall be the
essential reference tool that will guide our bilateral relations with the
Palestinian Authority in the coming years. The ENP will continue to act as a catalyst
as a single policy framework, based inter alia on partnership and joint
ownership, as well as performance-driven differentiation and tailor-made
assistance.
The Commission attaches the text of a
proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken by the European
Union within the EU-PLO Joint Committee with regard to the adoption of a recommendation
on the implementation of the Action Plan in annex.
The Commission therefore requests the
Council to adopt the attached proposal for a Council Decision.
2012/0346 (NLE)
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the Union position within the Joint
Committee established by the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement
on Trade and Co-operation between the European Community, of the one part, and
the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian
Authority (PA) of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, with
regard to the adoption of a Recommendation on the implementation of the EU-PA
ENP Action Plan

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to Council Decision 97/430/EC
of 2 June 1997 concerning the conclusion of a Euro-Mediterranean Interim
Association Agreement on Trade and Co-operation between the European Community,
of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the
benefit of the Palestinian Authority (PA) of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,
of the other part, and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 3
thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the
Commission,
Whereas:
(1)       The Euro-Mediterranean
Interim Association Agreement on trade and co-operation between the European
Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for
the benefit of the Palestinian Authority (PA) of the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip, of the other part (“the Agreement”) was signed on 24 February 1997 and
entered into force on 1 July 1997,
(2)       The Parties intend to
agree on the new EU-PA European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan, which
reflects the privileged EU-PA partnership, and which will support the
implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement through
the elaboration and agreement of concrete steps towards attainment of its
objectives,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1
The Union position within the Joint
Committee established by the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement
on Trade and Co-operation between the European Community, of the one part, and
the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian
Authority (PA) of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, with
regard to the implementation of the EU-PA ENP Action Plan shall be based on the
draft Recommendation of the Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the
day of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
 
Draft
RECOMMENDATION
on
the implementation of the EU-PA ENP Action Plan
The Joint Committee,
Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean
Interim Association Agreement establishing an association between the European
Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for
the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of
the other part, (“the Agreement”) and in particular Article 63(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)              
Pursuant to Article 70 of the Agreement, the
Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their
obligations under the Agreement and shall see to it that the objectives set out
in the Agreement are attained.
(2)              
The Parties to the Agreement have agreed on the
text of the European Union – Palestinian Authority European Neighbourhood
Policy Action Plan (“the EU-PA ENP Action Plan”).
(3)              
The EU-PA ENP Action Plan will support the
implementation of the Agreement through the elaboration and agreement between
the Parties of concrete steps which will provide practical guidance for such
implementation.
(4)              
The Action Plan serves the dual purpose of
setting out concrete steps in bringing the fulfilment of the Parties’
obligations set out in the Agreement and of providing a broader framework for
further strengthening EU-PA relations. 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION:
Sole Article
The Joint Committee recommends that the
Parties implement the EU-PA ENP Action Plan set out in the Annex, insofar as
such implementation is directed towards attainment of the objectives of the Euro-Mediterranean
Interim Association Agreement establishing an association between the European
Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for
the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of
the other part,
Done at [...]
For the Joint Committee
The President
ANNEX 
EUROPEAN
UNION -PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY ACTION PLAN
POLITICAL
CHAPEAU
A new Action Plan
The Palestinian
Authority (PA) and the European Community (EC) first established contractual
relations in 1997 when the EC and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO),
for the benefit of the PA, concluded an Interim Association Agreement on trade
and cooperation. On the basis of this agreement, the EU-PA European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan was signed in May 2005. Within this framework,
EU-Palestinian relations have witnessed in recent years a significant
development, with the resumption of the activities of the Joint Committee, the
establishment of initially four subcommittees and the launching of the
political dialogue. On the Palestinian side, the PA has proven its ability to
be a full partner within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) through active
participation and fruitful exchanges. On the EU side, the landmark Foreign
Affairs Council Conclusions of December 2009 put forth the path for renewed EU
engagement with the Palestinian Authority by expressing the EU’s commitment to
“further develop its bilateral relations with the Palestinian Authority
reflecting shared interests, including in the framework of the ENP.”[1]
This development is a result of the increased capacity demonstrated by the
Palestinian side in implementing its reform agenda and within the ENP. The
first step was to increase the number of ENP subcommittees to enable a more
effective and policy-driven dialogue with full involvement of civil society. As
our dialogue deepens and our partnership matures, this new Action plan,
building on EU's long standing support to the PA's statebuilding efforts, is
the appropriate framework to define the way forward. 
A privileged EU-PA partnership 
In recent years,
EU-PA relations have focused primarily on supporting PA’s state-building
efforts, as defined within the framework of its two-year Government plan from
2009 Palestine-Ending the occupation, Establishing the State and the
Palestinian Reform and Development Programme (PRDP) 2008-2010, both of which
the EU has supported politically and financially. The Palestinian National
Development Plan (NDP) 2011-2013 consolidates the achievements of the
previous programmes. The Palestinian side has been working on an ambitious
reform agenda making a strategic choice to anchor its socio-economic
development with that of the EU. As the major and most predictable donor to the
Palestinian people, the EU has responded and been instrumental in the
successful institution-building effort of the PA. In this regard the EU has
concurred with the assessment of the World Bank and other international
financing institutions that “if the Palestinian Authority maintains its current
performance in institution building and delivery of public services, it is well
positioned for the establishment of a State at any point in the near
future". This assessment was reiterated by the donors at the Ad Hoc
Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting hosted by HRVP Ashton on 13 April 2011 in
Brussels and once again in September 2011. On the basis of the reports of the
United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank,
the participants acknowledged that “the PA is above the threshold for a functioning state in the key sectors they studied,
and that Palestinian institutions compare favorably with those in established
states”[2]. The donors reconfirmed
their assessment of the state readiness of the PA regarding the institutions
studied at the AHLC held on 21 March 2012 in Brussels. 
The EU as a global player in a changing
neighbourhood/world 
EU-Palestinian relations take place in the context of the overall
changing political situation in the region and in the paradigm of the EU’s
defining role and added value in global governance, “which is reflected in its
active support for democracy, the rule of law, the protection of human rights
and human security alongside compliance with international environmental and
social conventions, open trade as well as decent work agenda.”[3]
As the EU responds to its changing neighbourhood especially the Arab Spring
through a review of its European Neighbourhood Policy, it has a particular
interest and responsibility in proactively promoting democratisation leading to
stability and prosperity in the region. In particular, recent events in the
Neighbourhood have shown “the necessity of heeding the legitimate aspirations
of the peoples in the region, including those of Palestinians for statehood.”[4]
The
EU continues to follow closely developments regarding the Palestinian
initiative at the UN.[5]
The Palestinian
Authority will be among the first partners to have a new Action Plan reflecting
the new response to a changing neighbourhood based on differentiation, mutual
accountability and a shared commitment to universal values, international law, international human rights
standards, democracy and the rule of law. The new EU approach entails closer
political association and progressive economic integration into the EU Internal
Market for those partners who are willing and able to move further in their
reform objectives. It aims at a higher level of differentiation, allowing for
each partner to develop its links with the EU based on its own aspirations,
needs and capacities, but also on mutual accountability and the degree of
commitment to the above-mentioned universal values, as well as the capacity to implement
jointly agreed priorities.[6] The subcommittees are the
ideal tool to monitor the implementation of these priorities and their conclusions
will be reflected in the work of the Joint Committee, as well as in the EU
annual progress report. 
In parallel, the
EU is increasingly seeking to target its resources where they are most needed
and where they could make the most difference. Hence, its external instruments,
of which the Palestinian people will be a beneficiary, will be more closely
linked to progress in implementing reforms. In this regard, the EU’s financial
assistance to the Palestinian people shall be closely aligned with this Action
Plan’s key policy objectives. In line with best practices in development
co-operation, the EU and Member States will consult with each other and
co-ordinate their programming. 
Achieving the
objectives outlined in this Action Plan is linked to the capacity to address
the challenges imposed primarily by the occupation, as well as by the current
division between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the current uncertainties
surrounding the PA fiscal sustainability as well as
by the ongoing lack of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
These factors seriously jeopardise the achievements of the PA. 
A commitment to a two-state solution 
The EU reaffirms
its commitment to a two-state solution through the creation of an independent,
democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side with
Israel. EU support to the prospect of a Palestinian state and to the legitimate
rights of the Palestinian people is a concrete translation of the EU's long
standing commitment to the two-state solution. 
The two sides
reiterate their commitment to contribute to their mutual goal of a resolution
of the Middle East conflict based on the terms of reference mentioned below. 
The EU has defined
its positions as regards the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) in the Venice
Declaration of 1980 and has developed it since then in various Foreign Affairs
Council Conclusions, in December 2009, December 2010, May 2011 and May 2012 as
well as in the Statement delivered on behalf of the EU at the UN Security Council
on 21 April 2011. Recalling the Berlin Declaration of 1999, the EU reiterates
its readiness to recognize a Palestinian State when appropriate. In line with
the Quartet Statement of 23 September 2011, the EU will actively support
additional steps identified towards Palestinian statehood and will support in
accordance with existing procedures significantly greater independence and
sovereignty for the Palestinian Authority over its affairs including steps that
would facilitate the social and economic development of Area C. 
The EU reiterates
its support to Palestinian reconciliation as outlined in the Foreign Affairs
Council conclusions of 23 May 2011. The EU considers that the situation in and
around Gaza remains fragile and unsustainable, as long as it remains
politically separated from the West Bank.
Recalling
its previous Council conclusions on MEPP, the EU
continues to call for the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of
crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and
from the Gaza Strip and in particular between Gaza and the West Bank. 
The EU recalls the
applicability of international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian
territory, including the applicability of the fourth Geneva Convention relative
to the protection of civilians.[7] The EU calls for the full
respect of international human rights obligations towards all Palestinian
prisoners.[8]
The EU underlines
the urgent need to re-launch the peace process so as to achieve a two-state
solution in full compliance with Road Map obligations, and based on the
UN Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles including land for
peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties and the
Arab peace initiative through: 
–                        
An agreement on the borders of the two states,
based on the June 4 1967 lines, with equivalent land swaps as may be agreed
between the parties.[9] The EU will not recognise
any changes to the pre-1967 borders including with regard to Jerusalem, other
than those agreed by the parties.[10] The EU reiterates that
settlements, the separation barrier where built on occupied land, demolition of
homes and evictions, are illegal under international law and constitute an
obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two state solution impossible. The EU
will continue to ensure that settlement products will not benefit from
preferential treatment under the EU-Israel Association Agreement and that
settlement activity will not benefit from any sort of EU funding or programmes.
–                        
Recalling that the EU has never recognised the
annexation of East Jerusalem, a way must be found through negotiations to
resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states.
–                        
A just, fair, realistic and agreed solution to
the refugee question. 
–                        
Security arrangements that, for Palestinians,
respect their sovereignty and show that the occupation is over and, for
Israelis, protect their security, prevent the resurgence of terrorism and deal
effectively with new and emerging threats.
–                        
Control of the Palestinian people over its
natural resources, including the equitable and
reasonable allocation of transboundary water resources,
in line with the relevant norms of international law and to be pursued
alongside other final status issues.
–                        
Working on the regional tracks to ensure
comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
The EU remains
committed to contribute substantially to post-conflict arrangements. 
This Action Plan
will cover the timeframe of three to five years.
PRIORITY
OBJECTIVES[11]
1)           Enhance efforts to
resolve the Middle East conflict based on the above-mentioned terms of
reference, including through supporting the establishment of a sovereign
Palestinian state
2)           Deepen
bilateral relations in preparation for establishing a fully-fledged Association
Agreement between the EU and the future State of Palestine 
·              
Pursue and develop political dialogue at all
levels.
·              
Establish an annual meeting between the EU and
the Palestinian side in line with the Association Council held with other ENP
partners.
·              
Launch, as soon as possible, negotiations on a
full Association Agreement, which would formally be concluded upon Palestinian
statehood. 
·              
Increase co-operation in the multilateral
framework, including through contributing to UN efforts to resolve regional
conflicts and promoting effective multilateralism. 
3)           A
Palestinian state based on the rule of law and respect for human rights within
a functioning deep democracy and with accountable institutions
·              
Protect citizens’ rights to enjoy their
fundamental freedoms and exercise their human rights, including the freedom of
assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of movement,
freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of the media and upholding the need
to fight incitement through the existence of an adequate and duly implemented
national legal framework in line with international standards; protect women’s
and girls’ rights including through the elimination of all discriminatory provisions
in national legislation.
Timeline:
continuous
Benchmarks:
adoption of legislation in line with obligations set out in international human
rights conventions, full implementation of the 2000 NGO law across the oPt,
adoption of legislation in particular with regard to media, development of the
Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights in line with the Paris
Principles (UN General Assembly Resolution 48/134), full implementation of the
National Strategic Plan on combating violence against women, rate of women’s
participation in the economy, adoption of a comprehensive Palestinian human
rights strategy
Indicators:
Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights reports, reports on the
implementation of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
and on the Istanbul Plan of Action, ENP progress reports
EU responsibilities: continued assistance for civil society and non-state actors,
advocacy of and support for appropriate legislative reforms and their
implementation, support to human rights defenders
·              
Hold genuine, democratic elections at all levels
in line with international standards. 
Timeline:
short-term, thereafter in accordance with the electoral law
Benchmarks: voter registry updated in Gaza and
continuation of updates in the West Bank, revised electoral law promulgated,
Presidential decree to launch the electoral calendar, local, presidential and
legislative elections, convening of a democratically elected Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) overseeing a democratic government
Indicators:
conclusions of international and domestic non-partisan election observation
missions
EU responsibilities: political support for the convening of elections, including in
East Jerusalem, continued assistance to the Central Elections Commission and
PLC Secretariat; possible deployment of EU Election Observation Missions
(EOM(s)), support for the release of detained Palestinian legislators[12]
·              
Establish an independent, impartial and
fully-functioning judiciary in line with international standards, ensuring due
process, fair trials and enforcement of court orders and decisions.
Timeline:
medium- to long-term
Benchmarks:
length of time for cases to be completed, numbers of citizens in pre-trial
detention, establishment of legal aid, adoption of legislation (penal code, mediation and arbitration law; juvenile justice, administrative
courts), regulate the jurisdiction of specialized courts including through the
separation of civil and security courts and limiting the powers of ‘military’
tribunals to serving military personnel
Indicators:
Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights reports, progress reports
for the Seyada II programme or its successor, EUPOL COPPS assessments, ENP
progress reports
EU responsibilities: continued assistance to the judiciary
·              
Reform and develop the Palestinian security
sector, institutionalise civilian democratic control of security services and
ensure they operate in full respect of human rights through proper regulation,
appropriate training and accountability mechanisms.
Timeline:
medium-term
Benchmarks:
implementation of the Palestinian National Development
Plan 2011-2013 priority policies in the security sector, unified command
structures and budget planning systems reporting to the Minister of Interior
covering all security agencies across the oPt, establishment of an inspectorate
for oversight over all the security forces and strengthened public
accountability in the Ministry of Interior, access for the Palestinian
Independent Commission for Human Rights to all detention centres (including
Internal Security) including without prior permission
Indicators:
Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights reports, EUPOL COPPS
assessments, ENP progress reports
EU responsibilities: continued EU assistance to the security and penitentiary system,
including through the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as appropriate,
human rights training, support agreed measures for the expansion of the PA’s
area of security authority and operational scope in the West Bank (in current
Areas B and C)
·              
Reinforce national efforts to fully implement the
National Development Plan (2011-2013) and its successors in liaison with the
international donor community.
Timeline: short-
to medium-term
Benchmarks:
implementation of the NDP priorities
Indicators:
Ministry of Finance quarterly reports, Ministry of Planning and Administrative
Development reports, annual NDP Monitoring reports, Reports of the World Bank
and IMF to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee
EU responsibilities: continued financial support to the Palestinian people including
contributing to the PA’s fiscal sustainability, and to Palestine refugees
through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), subject to the
availability of resources; provide technical support for the strengthening of
the administrative capacity of Palestinian institutions in preparation for
integration in the multilateral system
4)           Achieve
fiscal consolidation and sustainable economic development throughout the oPt
·              
Build on important progress made in establishing
a strong public financial management system by committing to further
improvements in particular with regard to external and internal audit and
control.
Timeline:
continuous
Benchmarks:
aggregate fiscal discipline, strategic allocation of resources and efficient
service delivery, PA fiscal deficit and aid dependence, enhanced PA revenue
collection, elimination of energy subsidies (“net lending”), implementation of public
service and pension reform, implementation of Public Expenditure and Financial
Accountability (PEFA) assessment and subsequent action plan, adoption of
regulatory framework for public procurement
Indicators:
Ministry of Finance quarterly reports, annual NDP Monitoring reports, Reports
of the World Bank and IMF to the AHLC
EU responsibilities: continued financial support to the Palestinian people accompanied
by measures to assist PA’s long-term fiscal sustainability, and to Palestine
refugees through UNRWA, subject to the availability of resources, provide
technical support for the strengthening of the administrative capacity of
Palestinian institutions in preparation for integration in the multilateral
system, support enhanced PA revenue collection including the adoption of
an improved mechanism ensuring efficient, transparent and predictable clearance
revenue collection by Israel on behalf of the PA in line with the Paris
Protocol
·              
Improve policy administration, civil service
management and public accountability mechanisms, including strengthening audit
and oversight capacity and the capability to prevent and fight fraud and
corruption. 
Timeline: long-term
Benchmarks:
implementation of a decentralised system of basic personnel administration,
government internal audit decentralised, the Financial and Administrative
Control Bureau (FACB) fulfilling its role as an independent external audit
agency in line with standards set by the International Organisation of Supreme
Audit Institutions
Indicators:
Reports of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development,
World Bank and IMF to the AHLC. Annual reports of the FACB, Public Expenditure
and Financial Accountability assessment
EU responsibilities: co-chair of the Governance Strategy Group, continued financial
support in particular for public financial management, full utilisation of
TAIEX
·              
Support the development of a competitive
Palestinian private sector, including by minimizing constraints to private
sector development, to facilitate Palestinian economic self-reliance.
Timeline:
medium-term
Benchmarks:
adoption of new commercial legislation to facilitate economic activity and
investment, establishment of regulatory and technical standards institutions in
all major economic sectors
Indicators:
internationally recognised reviews, such as World Bank “Ease of Doing Business”
reports, EuroMed Charter for Enterprise reviews
EU responsibilities: continued financial support, subject to the availability of
resources, full utilisation of TAIEX, continued advocacy for Palestinian
observership as a first step towards accession negotiations to the World Trade
Organisation
·              
Within the framework of these global efforts,
targeted support for the development of the Gaza Strip.
Timeline:
medium-term
Benchmarks:
implementation of the NDP sector indicators in the Gaza Strip
Indicators:
Reports of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development
to the AHLC
EU responsibilities: call for the full implementation of the 2005 Agreement on Movement
and Access (AMA), advocacy for the lifting of the Gaza closure[13],
advocacy for the complete and permanent removal of the
obstacles to movement and access, as a pre-requisite for Palestinian
economic revival, and seeking to ensure the PA fully benefits from existing
agreements and the instruments to which it is entitled
·              
Further develop trade relations and take
concrete measures to facilitate the full implementation
of the Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation.
Timeline:
medium-term
Benchmarks:
implementation of the AMA, competitiveness of the Palestinian private sector
Indicators:
Reports of the World Bank and IMF to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, trade
figures, including fulfilment of agriculture quotas
EU responsibilities: continued support to the Palestinian private sector;
implementation of the economic package adopted by EuroMed Ministers, full
implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and of the agreement
providing further liberalisation of agricultural products, processed
agricultural products and fish and fishery products,
enhanced engagement on the issue of the fishing zone in the Gaza Strip 
·              
Develop a modern border control system based on
an effective integrated border management (IBM) and continue to support
the development of qualified staff to operate customs departments at
international ports.
Timeline:
long-term
Benchmarks:
allocation of development expenditure for border crossings administration and
IBM system, allocation of resources for the establishment of related
essential infrastructure (territorial links, ports, transport network),
implementation of the AMA
Indicators:
evaluation of Palestinian customs clearance, when operational;
Promotion/assessment of an Integrated Border Management to facilitate movement
of persons and goods while at the same time maintaining secure borders
EU responsibilities: continued EU assistance, including through CSDP as
appropriate, training PA officials in view of future deployment at borders, continued advocacy for Palestinian observership as a first step
towards accession negotiations to the World Trade Organisation
5)           Step up efforts to
significantly reduce poverty and social exclusion, in particular among the most
vulnerable, and to enhance the social cohesion throughout the oPt
·              
Build a sustainable, equitable and cost effective
social security system.
Timeline:
long-term
Benchmarks:
adoption of appropriate social protection legislation, including for pensions,
development of a national database on poverty and vulnerability, full
implementation of the Cash Transfer Programme (CTP) in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip ahead of its amalgamation into a fully-financed national scheme
Indicators: Reports
of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development and the
World Bank to the AHLC, progress reports and evaluations of EU assistance
programmes in the sector
EU responsibilities: continued financial support, in particular for reform of cash
assistance programmes for vulnerable Palestinians to establish them on a
sustainable footing, inclusion of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
in regional assistance programmes (MEDSTAT III)
·              
Enhance the level of public health and its governance
in the occupied Palestinian territory in line with the PA’s implementation of
its comprehensive national health strategy, tackling issues relating to
infrastructure and logistics, financing for the health sector, human resources
for health and access to medicines including Gaza.
Timeline:
long-term
Benchmarks:
allocation of resources for development of secondary and tertiary healthcare,
establishment of the Al Najah University Educational Hospital
Indicators:
World Health Organisation (WHO) reports and United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) development index reports
EU responsibilities: outside the current focal sectors for EU assistance, although EU
will continue overall direct financial support for the PA and may provide
support for specific acute health needs, such as in the Gaza Strip or for East
Jerusalem hospitals
6)           Facilitate
territorial management and access, including to natural resources
·              
Develop the necessary legal and institutional
framework for an integrated water and wastewater management system to ensure
equitable service delivery and resource sustainability all over the oPt and
provide support for its implementation.
Timeline:
long-term
Benchmarks:
establishment of a water management regulatory body, allocation of resources
for a national, regionally connected water distribution network and for
desalination
Indicators:
evaluation of achievement of NDP water infrastructure targets (95% of
households connected to clean water supply by 2013, 65% (West Bank) and 92%
(Gaza) connected to sewage network, and reduced losses from the network. To be
reviewed after 2013
EU responsibilities: continued EU assistance, possible Neighbourhood Investment
Facility (NIF) support
·              
Intensify efforts to facilitate connectivity in
regional and international infrastructure networks (e.g., transport, energy,
water, telecommunications, etc.) especially in the EuroMed region.
Timeline:
long-term
Benchmarks:
establishment of a telecommunications regulatory body promoting competition and
service standards, investment in regional connectivity with Egypt/Jordan,
enhancing energy security inter-alia by promoting the use of indigenous
renewable energy sources, allocation of resources for West Bank – Gaza
territorial link and regional road network
Indicators:
Annual NDP Monitoring Report, Reports of the World Bank to the Ad Hoc Liaison
Committee
EU responsibilities: continued EU assistance, including through the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX)
and EuroMed initiatives, possible NIF support
·              
Implement sustainable development policies
resulting in strategies and initiatives designed to achieve inter alia
environmentally sustainable economic development and greater social inclusion.
Timeline:
medium-term
Benchmarks: full
implementation of the National Environment Strategy, development and review of
the relevant legislative and institutional framework 
Indicators:
Annual NDP Monitoring Report
EU responsibilities: EU assistance primarily through capacity building, support to
projects, TAIEX and EuroMed initiatives
7)           Enhance
quality of education, research and innovation, information society in the oPt
·              
Enhance quality of education, research and
innovation, information society in the oPt.
Timeline:
long-term
Benchmarks:
allocation of PA resources for primary, secondary and tertiary education,
research, science and technology; establishment of a national fund for academic
research; development of educational, cultural, youth and sport-related
infrastructure, establishment of an e-government programme, establishment of a
telecommunications regulatory body and improved connectivity of PA research and
academic network to GEANT (Gigabit European Advanced Network Technology)
Indicators: UNDP
indicators on education, evaluation of achievement of relevant NDP indicators
for basic education and higher education enrolment rates, number of successful
Palestinian applications to the relevant EU programmes
EU responsibilities: facilitation of Palestinian participation in relevant EU
programmes; although outside the current focal sectors for EU bilateral
assistance, continued EU support to the Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) programme (latter to be
reviewed during 2013)
8)           Support the rights of the Palestinian people in East
Jerusalem 
·              
Support the political, economic, social and
cultural rights of the Palestinian people in East Jerusalem, in line with the
FAC Conclusions of December 2009 and in full alignment with the Palestinian
Strategic Multi-Sector Development Plan (SMDP) for Jerusalem.
Timeline:
continuous
Benchmarks:
Implementation of the SMDP for East Jerusalem, establishment of PLO focal point
for East Jerusalem, reopening of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem in
accordance with the Roadmap 
Indicators: WHO
indicators/demographic indicators for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem,
other human development indicators where available
EU responsibilities: Continued EU support to the East Jerusalem programme (including
housing, economic development, basic social services, human rights,
conservation and promotion of cultural heritage)
9)           Increase
development efforts in Area C 
·              
Increase development efforts in Area C.
Timeline: continuous
Benchmarks:
investment in public works or institutions in Area C, improvement of movement
of people and goods, development, and trade and exports 
Indicators:
Reports of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development
to the AHLC, adoption of Palestinian master plans for Area C 
EU responsibilities: continued financial assistance for Palestinian development in Area
C[14]
to maintain Palestinian presence there, support the elaboration of Palestinian
master plans in order to improve the development of the entire West Bank and to
preserve the viability of the future Palestinian state, advocacy for the
complete and permanent removal of the obstacles to movement and access, as a
pre-requisite for Palestinian economic revival and seeking to ensure that the
PA fully benefits from existing agreements and the instruments to which it is
entitled. Humanitarian assistance will continue to be provided in a timely and
effective manner, when and where needs arise, and in line with humanitarian
principles. 
ANNEX:
COMPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVES
A.           POLITICAL
DIMENSION
I.            Political dialogue and cooperation
[EU-PLO Political Dialogue]
Deepen bilateral relations as part of a
strategic vision towards a fully integrated and sovereign Palestinian state and
achieve closer political co-operation and dialogue on the basis of shared
values 
(1)                      
Enhance political and strategic dialogue
and cooperation on foreign and security policy and hold meetings at different
levels and in all fora.[15]
(2)                   
Establish an annual meeting between the EU and
the Palestinian side in line with the Association Council held with other ENP
partners. 
(3)                   
Launch, as soon as possible, negotiations on a
full Association Agreement, which would formally be concluded upon statehood.
(4)                   
Intensify contacts between Palestinian Ministers
and their European counterparts.
(5)                   
Hold annual meetings with a Palestinian senior
official in the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and schedule additional
meetings on an ad-hoc basis.
(6)                   
Reinforce dialogue and co-operation on conflict
prevention, peace and crisis management and in civil protection.
(7)                   
Increase co-operation in the multilateral framework,
including through contributing to UN efforts to resolve regional conflicts and
promote effective multilateralism.
(8)                   
Deepen co-operation in addressing common
security threats, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) and illegal arms exports.
II.          Democracy, rule of law and good governance
[Sub-committee on Human Rights, Good
Governance and Rule of Law]
Build a deep and sustainable democracy
underpinned by a respect for human rights and the rule of law
Elections
(9)                   
Hold genuine, democratic elections at all levels
in line with international standards.
(10)               
Strengthen the domestic legal framework to
ensure independent domestic and international monitoring and observation of
elections, including by civil society.
(11)               
Reinforce the role, independence and capacities
of the Central Elections Commission and ensure that the institution is
supported by sufficient financial resources.
(12)               
Take measures to increase women’s participation
in political and democratic life.
Judiciary
(13)               
Pursue efforts towards an independent, impartial
and fully-functioning judiciary in line with international human rights
standards, ensuring due process, fair trials and enforcement of court orders
and decisions.
(14)               
Develop legislation, facilitate public access to
legal information to ensure equal access to justice to all and set up a fund
for legal aid with the adequate structures to ensure its proper administration.
(15)               
Regulate through adopting and implementing
legislation the jurisdiction of specialized courts including through the separation
of civil and military judiciary and limiting the jurisdiction of military
tribunals to serving military personnel, whilst keeping civilian courts
competent for all human rights and international humanitarian law violations. Improve possibilities for legal redress against violations of human
rights and international humanitarian law, as well as access to information on
citizens’ rights.
(16)               
Clarify the responsibilities of the different
institutions in the justice sector.
Security
(17)               
Step up the reform and development of the
Palestinian security sector, institutionalize civilian democratic oversight of
the security services and ensure that they operate in full respect of human
rights through proper regulation and appropriate training.
Good Governance
(18)               
Take all necessary legislative and
administrative measures to establish and implement a clear division of powers
between the different branches of government.
(19)               
Reinforce national efforts to fully implement
the National Development Plan (2011-2013) and its successors in liaison with
the international donor community.
(20)               
Support the PA’s efforts to implement the
national strategic objective to reform its public administration in order to
deliver high quality and efficient public services all over the oPt.
(21)               
Develop a functioning legislative framework
through formulating a legislative plan, establishing rules to review
qualification of legislative initiatives under emergency rule and making full
use of the TAIEX instrument for the future preparation of future legislation.
III.         Human rights and fundamental freedoms
Ensure the respect of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in line with international standards and promote the
implementation of international human rights standards
International Humanitarian Law and
International Human Rights Law
(22)               
Ensure respect for international law, in
particular international humanitarian law and international human rights law
including as regards Palestinian prisoners and administrative detainees.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman and
degrading treatment
(23)               
Take all necessary measures to uphold the
absolute prohibition of the use of torture and put in place internal and
external investigative mechanisms to ensure accountability for those who commit
ill-treatment and torture in detention and under interrogation. Establish
independent national prevention mechanisms in line with the principles laid
down in the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture.
(24)               
Rehabilitate detention centres in line with
international standards, ensure access to all detainees for lawyers, families
and human rights organizations and ensure that the relevant Ministries, the
public prosecutor and the judiciary are able to regularly monitor detention
centres to ensure that proper legal procedures are being implemented.
(25)               
Provide access to the Palestinian Independent
Commission for Human Rights to files related to investigations of allegations
of torture.
Fundamental Freedoms
(26)               
Establish a comprehensive Palestinian human
rights strategy.
(27)               
Adopt a unified penal code which adheres to
international human rights standards including the non-application of the death
penalty and which strengthens legal guarantees for all fundamental freedoms.
Fully abide by the de facto moratorium on the death penalty and work towards a
de jure moratorium.
(28)               
Bring an end to all arbitrary arrests and remove
all requirements for security clearances based on political affiliation in all
circumstances (including registration of associations, recruitment to public
office, passport issuance etc.).
(29)               
Ensure that detentions are carried out only for
valid criminal or security reasons and are based on arrest warrants issued by
the competent authorities.
(30)               
Protect citizens’ rights to enjoy their
fundamental freedoms and exercise their civil and political human rights, including
the freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of
religion or belief and freedom of the media through the existence of an
adequate national legal framework for the protection of human rights in line
with international standards. Consolidate the Palestinian Independent
Commission for Human Rights in line with the Paris Principles (UNGA resolution
48/134).
(31)               
Protect women’s and girls’ rights, eliminate all
discriminatory provisions in national legislation and provide regular information
on the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on combating violence
against women, on the implementation of CEDAW and on the Istanbul Plan of
Action.
(32)               
Protect children’s rights and ensure
mainstreaming in PA strategies and systems (including the juvenile justice
system) in line with the principles laid down in the UN Child rights’
conventions, in particular the protocol on involvement of children in armed
conflict and ILO convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour.
(33)               
Institutionalize a reporting mechanism on the
implementation of Law 4/1999 dealing with the rights of the disabled.
(34)               
Strengthen the legal framework at all levels to
combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination. 
(35)               
Uphold the rights and protection of human
rights’ defenders, in line with the UN declaration on human rights defenders
(UNGA resolution 53/144).
(36)               
Uphold the political, economic, social and
cultural rights of people living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,
and in the Gaza Strip.
Civil society
(37)               
Ensure space and transparent registration
procedures for civil society in order to reinforce its role and independence in
line with national law and international standards.
(38)               
Enhance dialogue and consultation between the
authorities and civil society organizations.
(39)               
Promote a participatory development policy and a
national ownership of reforms beyond government ownership by facilitating the
involvement of civil society in sector policy dialogues and reform efforts
through regular, structured and inclusive multi-stakeholder consultations.
IV.         Co-operation in Justice and Home Affairs
Combating racism and xenophobia; fight
against discrimination
(40)               
Strengthen the legal framework at all levels to
combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination.
(41)               
Combat hate crimes, including cases motivated by
Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia and other beliefs, which can
be fuelled by racist and xenophobic propaganda and incitement in the media and
on the Internet.
Migration, asylum and border management
(42)               
Promote dialogue and cooperation in migration
and asylum matters and strengthen the capacities to manage migration, including
with the aim of promoting the positive effects of migration on development.
(43)               
Promote the enhancement of the border management
capacities of the Palestinian Authority.
Fight
against organised crime
(44)               
Strengthen and implement national policies aimed
at fighting corruption in line with international standards in particular
through the Anti-Corruption Commission.
(45)               
Strengthen the capacities of law enforcement
agencies to carry out police investigations and to prevent and prosecute criminal
activities, including cybercrimes, financial crimes and money
laundering.
(46)               
Support the development of the capacity to fight
against the smuggling of irregular migrants and the trafficking of human
beings, including to offer support for the rehabilitation of victims.
(47)               
Develop police training and cooperation.
(48)               
Develop international cooperation to prevent and
fight organised crime, on the basis of international instruments, especially UN
Convention against transitional, organised crime and the protocols thereof
(UNTOC).
(49)               
Strengthen the cooperation in preventing and
combating fraud, including in protecting the financial interests of both
parties.
Drugs
(50)               
Exchange information and best practices on
international cooperation in the fight against drugs and promote regional
co-operation in this area.
(51)               
Strengthen the capacity to combat drug
trafficking including through training of relevant authorities and law
enforcement agencies.
Combating terrorism
(52)               
Implement relevant legislation to combat money
laundering and terrorist financing in line with international (e.g. Financial
Action Task Force), European and EU standards. 
(53)               
Develop cooperation between law enforcement
agencies to combat terrorism.
(54)               
Develop judicial cooperation in the context of
combating terrorism.
(55)               
Prevent terrorism, including by promoting
actions aimed at combating propaganda of violent extremism.
(56)               
Co-operate to reinforce the role of the UN in
the multilateral fight against terrorism, including through full implementation
of UNSC Resolutions 1267/99 and1373/01, and implementation and enforcement of
the UN global counter-terrorism strategy and the UN counter-terrorism
conventions.
B.           ECONOMIC
CO-OPERATION
V.           Economic Reform and Development
[Sub-committee on Economic and Financial
Matters]
(57)               
Continue to make progress towards establishing
an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework for fiscal policy and
monetary reform. 
(58)               
Conduct economic policies aimed at ensuring
macroeconomic and financial stability, including through fiscal policies
designed to ensure fiscal sustainability and through an appropriate supervisory
framework for the financial system.
(59)               
Implement structural reforms aimed at fostering
economic development and raising over time the rate of sustainable economic
growth. 
(60)               
Promote the role of the private sector
throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular by moving towards
greater fiscal independence and facilitating the private sector's access to the
financial system.
(61)               
Improve the economic
environment in order to promote domestic investment and attract foreign
investment in the occupied Palestinian territory, notably in East Jerusalem,
Area C and the Gaza Strip.
(62)               
Call for the full implementation of the 2005
Agreement on Movement and Access and advocate the complete and permanent
removal of obstacles to movement and access, as a key factor in promoting
economic recovery, integration and development in the occupied Palestinian
territory including in Gaza.
VI.         Financial Accountability and Sound Management of Public Finances
[Sub-committee on Economic and Financial
Matters]
(63)               
Reduce dependency on international aid:
–              
contribute to an efficient, transparent and
predictable clearance revenue collection by Israel on behalf of the PA in line
with the Paris Protocol[16]
–              
develop the regulatory and institutional
framework and capacity for a modern taxation system based on international and
European tax standards including good governance in the tax area, and increasing
tax revenues to reduce budget deficit 
–              
improve the capacity of the PA to manage borders
and collect revenues 
–              
control and rationalize recurrent expenditure
through reducing the public sector wage bill and putting in place a financially
sustainable pension system 
–              
phase out net lending in the electricity sector
through organizing the regulatory structure, reinforcing the distribution,
increasing the power generation and reorganising the power transmission
(64)               
Work towards improved aid management and donor
co-ordination.
(65)               
Develop and adopt the necessary legal framework
for the transition of the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) into a Central
Bank.
(66)               
Further consolidate the progress in establishing
a strong and accountable public financial management system:
–              
develop the legislative framework to reinforce
the PA’s public financial management systems
–              
improve fiscal reporting and forecasting
capacities through supporting the establishment of the macrofiscal unit at the
Ministry of Finance 
–              
adopt and implement the new regulatory framework
for public procurement, including the adoption and harmonization of relevant
by-laws and procurement related regulations 
–              
ensure enhanced
oversight of public finance: SAACB (State Audit and Administrative Control
Bureau) becomes an independent external audit institution in line with INTOSAI
standards, with substantial institutional capacity and a robust legal framework
–              
upgrade and decentralize PA internal audits 
–              
implement a a PEFA
(Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability) assessment
Statistics
(67)               
Follow social and economic developments in the
oPt with the objective of providing relevant statistical data for
policy-making and monitoring the progress. 
(68)               
Reinforce the capacity of the national
statistical system in the area of data analysis and dissemination and quality,
including improvement of the exhaustiveness and timeliness of data transmitted
to Eurostat.
(69)               
Further develop a statistics system based on
international best practices and extend existing co-operation between two
statistics bodies namely EUROSTAT and the Palestinian Central Bureau of
Statistics (PCBS) including within the framework of the Medstat III programme
and contribute towards developing a regional strategy for statistical
cooperation.
VII.        Trade-Related Issues,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Market and Regulatory Reform, Customs 
[Sub-committee on Trade and Internal Market,
Industry, Agriculture and Fisheries, Customs]
The PA and the EU are committed to the
implementation of actions agreed by the Union for the Mediterranean Trade
Ministers, including the Euro-Med Trade Roadmap beyond 2010 and of the
Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise which are being used as common
reference points by partner countries to deepen economic and trade relations,
promote and increase investments, facilitate market access, improve the
business climate and spur entrepreneurship at country-level and across the
whole region. 
VII. i.     Movement
of goods
Bilateral Trade Relations
(70)               
Further develop trade-relations between the
European Union and the Palestinian Authority and take concrete measures to facilitate the full implementation of the Interim Association Agreement
on Trade and Co-operation between the EU and the PLO (for the benefit of the
Palestinian Authority).
(71)               
Reinforce co-operation among the EU, the
Palestinian Authority and Israel to facilitate the full implementation of the
Interim Association Agreement and of the relevant provisions of the Paris
Protocol.
(72)               
Implement measures relating to facilitating
trade of Palestinian products as approved by the Union for the Mediterranean
Trade Ministers in 2010. 
(73)               
Strengthen the accountability of Palestinian
institutions and further reinforce administrative and technical capacities
including through EU support to institutional capacity building, and in
preparation for integration in the multilateral trading system. 
(74)               
Identify and adopt accompanying measures
providing for the structural, legal and administrative support necessary in
order to ease access to export markets, including approximation of technical
legislation. 
Agriculture and Fisheries 
(75)               
Maximise the use and continue to ensure full
implementation of the EU – PLO agreement on further liberalization of trade in
agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products.
(76)               
Strengthen public and private sector capacity in
order to further develop the agriculture and fisheries sector, in particular
reinforcing development and improvement of quality production, to enable them to benefit fully from the above-mentioned
EU-PLO agreement. 
Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues
(77)               
Enhance productivity, food safety,
animal and plant health and animal welfare in the occupied Palestinian
territory through reform of the animal and plant sectors, and facilitate
trade, where possible. 
(78)               
Develop the required capacities, legislation and
infrastructure in order to ensure an adequate level of sanitary, phytosanitary
and animal welfare protection in domestic production, and to comply with SPS requirements of the
markets importing commodities from the occupied Palestinian territory, including
the requirements of the EU and
international standards developed by the Codex Alimentarius, World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC), where appropriate. 
Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance
of Industrial Products
(79)               
As a preparation to the negotiation of an ACAA:
–              
Harmonise technical regulations and national
standards with European and international standards for industrial products in
the selected priority sectors and 
–              
Strengthen and upgrade the institutions in
charge of standardization, accreditation, conformity assessment, metrology and
market surveillance to the level of the corresponding EU institutions.
Regional
Co-operation 
(80)               
Strengthen regional co-operation between
neighbouring countries by completing and reinforcing the network of free trade
agreements in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
(81)               
Participate in the implementation in all the
areas currently covered by the Agadir Agreement and work towards expanding its
scope to new areas such as services and investment and encourage new
memberships in the Agreement. 
(82)               
Facilitate the PA’s integration in the
multi-lateral trading system by continued advocacy for Palestinian observership
as a first step towards accession negotiations to the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and by creating the necessary
administrative capacity and legal and regulatory framework to meet WTO
requirements.
Customs
(83)               
Further develop customs legislation, code and
procedures in accordance with Palermo recommendations.
(84)               
Implement the Regional Convention on
Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin. 
(85)               
Participate in the thorough revision of the
Pan-Euro-Med rules of origin in the framework of the Regional Convention on
Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin. 
(86)               
Develop a modern border control system based on
an effective integrated border management (IBM) and continue to support the
development of qualified staff to operate customs departments at international
ports.
III. ii.     Right of establishment,
Company law and services
Establishment and company law
(87)               
Remove obstacles to the establishment and
operation of companies.
Services
(88)               
Finalise and implement a strategy to enhance the
competitiveness of the Palestinian services sector including regulatory
simplification and administrative facilitation for both Palestinian and EU
service sectors.
(89)               
Work towards the gradual abolition of obstacles
on supply of services in the occupied Palestinian territory. 
Development of financial services
(90)               
Develop a regulatory framework for financial
services, including banking and insurance sectors, auditing sectors and
securities markets. 
(91)               
Facilitate SMEs access to finance and activate,
in collaboration with donors and international organizations, all finance
channels such as credit guarantee schemes and equity funds specialized in SMEs.
III. iii.    Other key areas
Competition
(92)               
Develop conditions enabling competition between
the EU and Palestinian companies as well as among Palestinians companies and
adopt an anti-trust control regime compatible with that of the EU.
Consumer Protection
(93)               
Increase the compatibility of consumer
legislation in order to avoid barriers to trade while ensuring a high level of
consumer protection.
(94)               
Promote exchange of information on consumer
systems, including consumer laws, consumer product safety, enforcement of
consumer legislation, consumer education and empowerment, and consumer redress.
(95)               
Encourage the development of independent
consumer associations and contacts between consumer representatives.
Tourism
(96)               
Provide assistance and exchange information and
best practice concerning respective policies and projects on sustainable
tourism while involving all relevant public and private stakeholders, including
in East Jerusalem.
(97)               
Facilitate Palestinian participation in EU
initiatives such as Enterprise Europe Network.
C.           SECTOR
CO-OPERATION
VIII.    Equal
opportunities, Employment, Social Policy, Public Health
[Sub-committee on Social Affairs and Health]
Equal opportunities
(98)               
Intensify efforts to promote the implementation
of equal opportunities for men and women and other vulnerable groups such as
disabled within the administration and in the framework of the different
national strategies (employment, education, health etc.). 
(99)               
Effectively combat gender-based stereotyping and
all kinds of cultural and social exclusion or discrimination. 
Employment
(100)           
In accordance with the PA national strategy,
enhance the skills of Palestinian workers, develop and implement measures and
approach to support youth employment and fully implement a national gender
sensitive employment strategy. 
(101)           
Develop a dialogue on fundamental social rights
and labour standards aiming towards an inclusive, non-discriminatory labour
market.
(102)           
Continue action to establish a functioning social
dialogue, in particular, develop capacity of employers' organizations, train
trade-unions and staff representatives in negotiations /collective bargaining
and in issues pertaining to health and safety at work taking into account the
ongoing ILO-Beirut project on Social Dialogue.
(103)           
Further pursue efforts to improve the capacities
and the management of the already existing Tripartite Commission and promoting
the establishment of a broader social, economic and civil dialogue,
complementary to the tripartite social dialogue, through civil institution
building (Council for an Economic, Social and Civil Dialogue).
(104)           
Strengthen capacity of labour inspections,
notably on health and safety at work, child labour and gender issues.
(105)           
In the framework of the Palestinian social
protection strategy, strategically allocate resources of the national budget,
including through the Employment and Social Protection Fund, to work towards
covering the cost of basic social assistance interventions (non-contributory)
and to develop and establish a system of social insurance with comprehensive
coverage that builds on a contributory basis.
Social Inclusion and Social Protection

(106)           
Take concrete steps to significantly reduce
poverty and social exclusion, in particular among the most vulnerable, and to
enhance social cohesion throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.
(107)           
Build a sustainable, equitable and cost
effective social assistance system. 
(108)           
Improve and develop social protection
legislation.
(109)           
Further develop the institutional capacity of
the PA to provide efficient and effective services, including organisational
restructuring by the Ministry of Social Affairs and gradual
decentralisation/de-concentration of responsibilities to Regional Offices.
(110)           
Improve synergies between private and public
actors in the field of social protection.
(111)           
Develop a national database for poverty and
vulnerability and map out a socio-economic intervention.
(112)           
Fully implement the Cash Transfer Programme
(CTP) in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip by further improving efficiency and
transparency of service delivery. 
Public Health 
(113)           
Enhance the level of public health and its
governance in the occupied Palestinian territory including through monitoring
the implementation of the Palestinian health strategy addressing issues relating
to infrastructure and logistics, financing for the health sector, human
resources for health and access to medicines. 
(114)           
Continue co-operation, including in the regional
context, on prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
IX.         Research, Information Society, Audiovisual and Media, Education,
Youth and Culture
[Sub-committee on Research, Information
Society, Audiovisual and Media, Education, Youth and Culture]
Research and Innovation
(115)           
Increase awareness and capacity of Palestinian
research institutions to increase participation in the European Research Area
and the Research Framework Programme.
(116)           
Develop the scientific and technological
capacity with a focus on the use of RTD results by the industrial and SME
sector to enhance innovation and the networking between the private sector and
the research sector. 
(117)           
Create an enabling environment, including on the
regulatory level and work towards the establishment of excellence centres. 
(118)           
Strengthen the dialogue on research and innovation
with the other Mediterranean partner countries and with the EU.
Information Society, Audiovisual and
Media
(119)           
Support Palestinian membership to EUMEDCONNECT
for the connectivity of Palestinian research and education network to GEANT and
access to e-infrastructures in the Mediterranean area.
(120)           
Continue the development of a comprehensive
regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services,
including the rules and conditions for authorisation, access and
interconnection, universal service and users' rights, consumer protection,
processing of personal data and protection of privacy in the e-communications
sector, management of radio spectrum and cost-orientation of tariffs.
(121)           
Cooperate with the Euromed Group of Electronic
Communications Regulators (EMERG) and with regulatory authorities of EU Member
States on issues of common interest.
(122)           
Implement a transparent, efficient and
predictable regulatory system and continue to strengthen and preserve the
independence of the regulatory authority in the audio-visual sector.
Education, Youth and Culture
(123)           
Co-operate to develop and promote joint
activities in the field of lifelong learning including higher education and
vocational education and training within the framework of the Palestinian
national strategy towards convergence with EU standards and practice, in
particular for women, persons with special needs and vulnerable groups.
(124)           
Tackle education needs, with a focus on quality
of education, all over the oPt especially in Area C, East Jerusalem and the
Gaza Strip. 
(125)           
Promote higher education reform and reinforce
international academic co-operation in line with the principles of the Bologna
Process and improve the performance of higher education facilities especially
through matching higher education with the requirements of the labour market.
(126)           
Support the development and reform of the
national vocational education and training system within the framework of the
national TVET strategy. 
(127)           
Support the development of student and youth
mobility in particular between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
(128)           
Enhance youth exchanges and co-operation in the
field of non-formal education and intercultural dialogue. 
(129)           
Promote cultural co-operation in international
fora such as UNESCO, inter alia, in order to develop cultural diversity,
promote Palestinian cultural activities, preserve and value cultural and
historical heritage and protect archeological sites in line with the relevant
norms of international law. 
(130)           
Strengthen the PA’s cultural policy capacity,
enhance cultural exchanges including in the context of cultural events, as well
as capacity building in the cultural sector. 
(131)           
Promote Palestinian participation in the EU
supported programmes in the fields of higher education, youth and culture. 
X.           Energy, Transport, Climate Change, Environment, Water
[Sub-Committee on Energy, Transport,
Climate Change, Environment, Water]
Energy
(132)           
Increasing security of energy supply and
diversification of sources, on the basis of EU energy policy principles,
including by fully implementing the Palestinian Energy Sector Strategy and
further consolidating electricity sector reforms; strengthen the institutional
framework including reinforcing the Palestinian Regulating Council; ;further
developing the electricity production capacity and domestic and international
energy networks. 
(133)           
Enhance the use of renewable energy and energy
efficiency policy; based on EU legislation and best practice.
(134)        
Further develop regional co-operation
initiatives (electricity, gas, renewables, energy efficiency etc), potentially
leading to regional market integration; including in the framework of the
Mediterranean Solar Plan. 
Transport
(135)           
Elaborate and implement a national transport
strategy, including transport infrastructure development with a focus on
further approximation of legislative and regulatory frameworks with European
and international standards, in particular for safety and security in all
transport modes.
(136)           
Participate in the planning and identification
of priority regional infrastructure projects within the future Trans-Mediterranean
Transport network and its interconnection with the trans-European transport
network.
(137)           
Participate in the development of the Global
Navigation Satellite Systems in the Mediterranean region and make use of the
TAIEX instrument to accelerate the use of EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service)
in civil aviation and maritime sectors. 
Climate Change
(138)           
Support the use and sharing of data on climate
science in order to enhance the capacity to elaborate well targeted adaptation
strategies and to mainstream climate change adaptation into other policies.
(139)           
Support efforts to adapt to the negative impacts
of climate change including through the adoption of vulnerability adaptation
assessments, to promote adaptation strategies to climate change and implement
efforts to further increase resilience against climate change impacts. 
Environment
(140)           
Enhance co-operation in environmental issues
including through PA participation in European Environment Agency activities.
(141)           
Ensure good environmental governance through
full implementation of the Environment Sector Strategy, through the completion
of the environment sector strategy action plan and through the development and
review of the relevant legislative and institutional framework.
(142)           
Converge with EU legislation and principles on,
inter alia, permitting, monitoring and inspection, environment impact
assessments, air quality, waste management, nature protection, industrial
pollution, chemicals and environmental integration. 
(143)           
Review institutional structures of the
environment sector with clear responsibilities for each sector and render
operational an enforcement body for environmental and related laws and
regulations. 
(144)           
Conserve environmental diversity and protect the
marine and coastal environment through developing related policies, standards,
programmes and systems.
(145)           
Strengthen the framework for hazardous and solid
waste management and develop sanitation management systems.
Integrated Maritime Policy 
(146)           
Develop an integrated maritime policy respecting
relevant international and regional conventions (including alignment with EU
legislation) within a sustainable growth perspective; addressing institutional
structures, establishment of protected zones in compliance with the Barcelona
Convention and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. 
Water and Wastewater
(147)           
Develop the necessary legal, institutional and
infrastructural framework for an integrated water and wastewater management
system to ensure equitable service delivery and resource sustainability. 
(148)           
Serve the population with sustainable water
provision and connecting unserved communities and reducing water leakages by
about 15% (current leakages 45-50%).
(149)           
Enhance co-operation in water issues including
through PA participation in the Horizon 2020 activities.
D.          OTHER
XI.         Participation in Union Programmes and Agencies
(150)           
Promote participation in the work of EU agencies
and EU programmes open to ENP countries and partners. 
(151)           
Conclude a framework agreement for the
participation in EU programmes open to ENP countries and partners.
(152)           
Strengthen co-operation with EU agencies in the
context of their regional activities.
XII.        Financial Dimension
(153)           
The financial dimension of the EU-PA
relationship shall take into account the following priorities:
–              
the EU’s overarching objective of building the
institutions of an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of
Palestine, living side by side with Israel in peace and security
–              
the progress registered in implementing the
reforms outlined in the priorities of this Action Plan especially in the focal
sectors outlined in the annual programming
–              
the financial needs of the Palestinian Authority
(and of Palestine refugees through UNRWA) to enable them to provide essential
services to the Palestinian people 
–              
the relevant new instruments and programmes set
up by the EU in the exercise of its external action taking into account the
PA’s needs, the progress registered in implementing reforms and its absorption
capacity
XIII.      Tracking and Monitoring Reports
The Action Plan will guide the work between
the EU and the PA in the next three to five years. The Action Plan will be
submitted for formal adoption to the Joint Committee. 
The joint bodies established under the
Interim Association Agreement, especially the subcommittees, will advance and
monitor the implementation of the Action Plan on the basis of regular reports
on its implementation. The subcommittees, which are
aligned with the new Action Plan, shall act as the primary tool for the
monitoring of the objectives identified in the Action Plan. Such objectives
will be complemented by the establishment of jointly-agreed precise, sequenced
and monitorable actions with benchmarks to be agreed annually in the
subcommittees.
The Action Plan can be regularly
amended/updated to reflect progress in addressing the priorities through a
decision of the Joint Committee. 
A regular follow up of the implementation
of the jointly-agreed objectives will also be ensured by the regular progress
reports of the respective parties.
[1]               Foreign Affairs Council
Conclusions, 8 December 2009
[2]               Chair's summary, AHLC meeting, 13 April 2011
[3]               Global Europe: A New Approach
to Financing External Action 
[4]               Foreign Affairs Council
Conclusions, 23 May 2011
[5]               Foreign Affairs Council
Conclusions, 10 October 2011 
[6]               Joint Communication: A new
response to a changing neighbourhood: A review of European Neighbourhood Policy
[7]               Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions, 14 May 2012
[8]               EU local statement on Palestinian prisoners on hunger
strike, 8 May 2012
[9]               Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions, 8 December 2009
[10]             Foreign Affairs Council
Conclusions, 8 December 2009
[11]             The indicative timelines
referred to in the Priority Objectives are short term (1 to 2 years),
medium-term (2 to 3 years), long-term (3 to 5 years) and continuous (for the
duration of the validity of the Action Plan)
[12]             Council Conclusions, 23 July
2007
[13]             Foreign Affairs Council
Conclusions, 23 May 2011
[14]             Foreign Affairs Council
Conclusions, 14 May 2012
[15]             The PLO and the EC launched
political dialogue in December 2008 based on the 1997 Joint Statement on
Political Dialogue. The EU has welcomed positively the request to develop
political dialogue in the Letter of Deputy Director General Robert Rydberg
(Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Director Dupla del Moral (European
Commission), 10 December 2009
[16]             AHLC, Chair’s Summary, 18 September 2011