MEA

Statement by Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed at the Donors’ Conference on Palestine

Paris, 17th December, 2007

Hon’ble President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy,

Your Excellency, Foreign Minister of France, Mr. Bernard Kouchner,

Distinguished Delegates,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, let me thank you and the French Government for taking the initiative of hosting the Donors Conference on Palestine and inviting us. India reaffirmed its commitment at the Annapolis Conference to play its ‘due role’ in this collective endeavor of the International Community to strengthen the forces of peace and stability in the region.

2.         The International Community needs to come together to contribute to the capacity-building and development of human resources and infrastructure of the Palestinian people, to enable them to live in peace in a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, side by side with the people and the State of Israel.

3.         Excellency, our presence at this Donors’ Conference underlines the importance that the Government of India attaches to the Palestinian cause and its solidarity with the Palestinian people. I am happy to see the three year Palestinian Reform and Development Plan prepared by Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad.

4.         In tune with our principled support to the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people, India has so far extended assistance in the form of grants to the tune of US$ 22 million to the Palestinian National Authority towards development of Palestinian institutions, besides humanitarian aid in times of crises.

5.         In 2003, India donated vehicles and medicines wotrth USD 1 million to the PNA. I had the honor of personally delivering this aid to the late President Arafat at Al Quds. In 2005, a grant of USD 15.4 million was extended to the Palestinian Authority for executing projects in development of infrastructure and human resources. In 2006, humanitarian aid worth USD 2 million was given for life-saving drugs to Ramallah.

6.         Mr. Chairman, on this occasion, in consonance with our earlier donations for infrastructure development in Palestine, I have pleasure in announcing on behalf of the Government of India, a pledge of USD 5 million for further development of Palestinian institutions, the projects for which will be identified in consultation with the Palestinian National Authority as before. In addition to this, to assist in the capacity building of Palestine, India will provide training to 400 Palestinian officials nominated by the Palestinian National Authority under its International Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme over a period of two years.

7.         I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the initiative taken by the Government of France for hosting this International Donors’ Conference on Palestine and the warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation.

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