§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they and the European Union are taking to ensure that the new airport and hospital in and near Gaza, built with European Union aid, are enabled to start functioning. [HL2816]
§ Lord WhittyConstruction of the Gaza airport was completed over a year ago, but it cannot be opened until security issues have been resolved by Israel and the Palestinian Authority. During our Presidency of the EU we worked hard to close gaps on a number of economic issues, including the airport. The EU continues to encourage both sides to reach agreement, so that the airport can be opened to give the Palestinians direct access to the outside world.
We understand from the European Commission (EC) that the Gaza hospital should be functional within a year. The EC is in the process of hiring an international management team that will implement the final stages of construction, installation of equipment, training of staff and other matters to make the hospital operational.