ZAGREB, Aug 3 (Hina) - At the end of their official visit to Israel, Croatian government officials, headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic, visited the Palestinian national authorities in Betlehem on Wednesday, the
Government's public relations office said in a statement on Thursday.
ZAGREB, Aug 3 (Hina) - At the end of their official visit to Israel,
Croatian government officials, headed by First Deputy Prime
Minister Goran Granic, visited the Palestinian national
authorities in Betlehem on Wednesday, the Government's public
relations office said in a statement on Thursday. #L#
During the talks with the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)
Vice President Emil Jarjoui, a PLC member and minister in charge of
the problem of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, Calah Taamari,
the head and coordinator of the Betlehem 2000 project, Nabil
Qattis, Tourism Minister Mitri Abu Eittah, Betlehem governor Abu
Sahwad, and general Abu Bakra, in charge of the forces in Betlehem,
Granic and his associates were informed about problems in the
resolution of the Palestinian issue at talks in Camp David and the
wish of the Palestinian people to establish its own state and
coexist peacefully with Jews, the statement said.
The two sides agreed on the importance of coexistence and Granic and
Foreign Minister Tonino Picula stressed the importance of building
good relations with neighbouring countries in the region, which is
what the Croatian government is strongly committed to.
Granic encouraged the Palestinian officials to try to find a just
and permanent solution to the Palestinian question, informing them
that he had reiterated this view on several occasions at his talks
with the highest Israeli officials. The only way to secure peace is
to find a just and permanent solution, Granic is quoted as saying.
The Palestinian officials expressed their wish to cooperate with
Croatia in all areas and asked for expert and technical assistance,
particularly in the construction of infrastructure on the West Bank
and in Gaza, as well as in development projects.
Jarjui stressed the great interest of Jaser Arafat in close
cooperation with Croatia, and Granic conveyed an invitation for
Arafat to visit Croatia, which was gladly accepted. The visit
should take place in the near future.
The visit of the Croatian delegation to the national Palestinian
authorities represents the beginning of a new stage in the
relations and future cooperation between the Palestinian
Liberation Organisation and Croatia.
(hina) rml