Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Press release
Unofficial translation
The Government took a decision today to grant SEK 60 million in extra support to the Palestinians in 2002.
The decision was taken against the backdrop of the Palestinian Authority's difficult financial situation and the general economic crisis impacting on the Palestinian people as a result of Israel's occupation policy.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, has been instructed to use these funds for special efforts for both the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian business sector. The aim is to alleviate the consequences of the economic crisis.
"If the Palestinian Authority collapses it will mean the peace process that was initiated in Oslo has definitely failed. The Palestinian Authority is Israel's only possible negotiating partner. We must therefore in the EU and the international donor community make joint efforts to save the Palestinian Authority and ease the situation for the Palestinian people," the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anna Lindh, says.
"The aim must be on the one hand to relieve the immediate difficulties for families that have lost their means of support due to unemployment as a result of border closures, on the other, to contribute to future economic recovery," Ms Lindh continues.
In addition, Sweden will donate SEK 140 million to the Palestinians in 2002 within the framework of regular development cooperation. The overriding objective for Swedish development assistance to the West Bank/Gaza is to promote peaceful developments and support the growth of a democratic Palestinian rule of law that is politically independent and economically sustainable. The support will go both to the Palestinian Authority and to the Palestinian civil community.
Sweden is also one of the largest donors to UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, donating SEK 160 million a year.
Pekka Johansson
Press Secretary
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0708-13 56 82
Ann M=E5we
Desk Officer
08-405 56 45
Gufran Al-nadaf
Press Officer
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0709-32 87 39