New York: The State of Qatar has participated in the ministerial meeting of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) on the coordination mechanism for development assistance to Palestine, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi represented Qatar in the meeting.
In his remarks before the meeting, he called on the international community to bolster the Palestinian economy, build the institutions of the Palestinian state and ensure the minimum threshold of well-being for the Palestinians, noting that the humanitarian suffering and the economic failure lead to loss of hope.
He said that the improvement of the economic situations for the Palestinians is a demand and right for them, because it contributes to creating the conducive environment for the national accord and peace opportunities with the Israeli side, and is subsequently beneficial for all.
He highlighted that the work of the committee is extremely crucial in light of the recurrent setbacks witnessed by the security, political and economic situation similar to what transpired during the past year. This is specially in light of the reports and briefings that indicate the pervasiveness of the economic difficulties facing the Palestinians and threaten the sustainability of the economic and financial situation encountered by the Palestinian authority.
He noted that the Palestinians are waiting for the support that has been previously promised by the international community which is represented by AHLC. He pointed out that the committee is well-known for undertaking practical, positive and concrete procedures to achieve the common goals.
He said that, stemming from the recognition of Qatar of this responsibility and the imperative of improving the economic and humanitarian situation in the service of peace endeavours, it continues to undertake its role within the framework of the flows of international support in response to the needs of the brothers in Palestine, including the provision of humanitarian and development aid to Gaza strip.
He noted that the contributions of Qatar, during the last decade via Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) and Gaza Reconstruction Committee, exceeded $1.5m.
He reaffirmed that addressing the economic aspect, even if it was an imperative, does not go without the political elements of the permanent, just and comprehensive settlement which underpins the two-state solution.
