Cairo conference pledged support to the Palestinians for the reconstruction of Gaza

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
http://formin.finland.fi/english

Press release 223/2014
13 October 2014

Cairo conference pledged support to the Palestinians for the reconstruction of Gaza

The Cairo Conference on Palestine – Reconstructing Gaza was held on 12 October 2014. Minister for International Development Sirpa Paatero announced during her speech that for the period 2014–2017, Finland has at present committed to 23.35 million Euros in support to the occupied Palestinian Territory. This amount includes the sum granted for humanitarian aid owing to the conflict in Gaza, in total 2.35 million Euros through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Finn Church Aid and the Red Cross.

The high-level conference gathered representatives of nearly 70 countries and international organizations to Cairo. Pledges totalling 5.4 billion Euros were given for implementing the Palestinian Authority’s reconstruction plan for Gaza. A precondition for implementation is the opening of Gaza to reconstruction materials and economic development. The political message from the conference to the parties of the Gaza conflict was the necessity of a permanent ceasefire agreement and a return to negotiations aiming for a two-state solution. Furthermore, Finland emphasized that reconstruction and its benefits belong to all Palestinians, including women, youth and children.

Additional information: Director General Jarno Syrjälä, tel. +358 295 351 891, and Chief of Cabinet Claus Lindroos, tel. +358 295 351 234.