SOFIA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Bulgarian Council of Ministers allocated additional 87,000 leva (about 69,000 U.S. dollars) to the budget of the Interior Ministry for gratuitous training of Palestinian policemen and security service officers, the Government Information Service said on Thursday.

    The course will be organized by the Interior Ministry Academy. Bulgaria undertook this commitment at the International Donors' Conference for the Palestinian State held in Paris on Dec. 17, 2007.

    As an EU member, Bulgaria has pledged to participate in the Union's Development Co-operation Policy and turn from a recipient into a donor-country of international assistance.

    The newly accepted EU member-states should allocate a total of 0.17 percent of their Gross National Income to official foreign countries aid until 2010.

    In July 2007 the Government approved a Concept on Bulgaria's Policy for Participation in the International Development Cooperation. A Council for International Development Cooperation has been set up as a consultative body under the Minister of Foreign Affairs.