RAMALLAH [MENL] -- The European Union has increased its support of Palestinian Authority security forces.

The EU has established a coordinating office to support the PA police. Officials said the EU office would operate in Ramallah and coordinate European aid to PA security agencies.

"With this initiative in the field of police support, another key part of the action plan proposed last year and including an array of actions in the fields of security, reforms, elections and the economy, is now coming to fruition," EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana said.

In a statement, Solana said the EU office in Ramallah marked the culmination of a dialogue with the PA. He said the EU was committed to reforming the PA security agencies.