The United States is working for 200 million dollars in direct budget aid to the Palestinians in the 2012 fiscal year, the State Department said on Friday.

"We are working with the Congress to ensure continued U.S. support for the Palestinians, including 200 million dollars in direct budget support this fiscal year," the department said in response to queries by media.

In the previous fiscal year, Washington also offered the same amount of direct budget support to the Palestinian National Authority, which is facing its worst financial crisis in years and a projected 1.1 billion dollars deficit in its 2012 budget.

"Our view remains that our assistance to the Palestinian people is an essential part of the U.S. commitment to a negotiated two- state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, promoting a comprehensive peace in the Middle East," the State Department said.

"It is in the interest not only of the Palestinians, but of Israel and the U.S. as well, to ensure these efforts continue as they help to build a more democratic, stable and secure region," it said.

Washington is still trying to reopen direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, last seen in September 2010.