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U.S. officials hold economical dialogue with PNA

Xinhua, May 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United States officials started on Sunday an economical dialogue with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to activate their bilateral cooperation to face the current economical challenges.

It is the first economic dialogue held between the PNA and the U.S. since 2004, according to a PNA official statement.

The two-day dialogue, which started on Sunday, is held in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

It focuses on debating opportunities for boosting the comprehensive goals of achieving the vision of the two states, a Palestinian state beside the state of Israel.

The statement of the PNA ministry of national economy said the Palestinian delegation to the economical dialogue included minister of economy Abeer Ouda, minister of finance Shukri Bishara, and other officials.

The U.S. delegation to the economical dialogue is headed by assistant U.S. Secretary of State for economic affairs Charles Rivkin.

According to the statement, minister Ouda called on the U.S. to rearrange the Palestinian-Israeli economic ties, and preview the protocols of the Paris Economic treaty signed between the two sides in 1995.

"The state of Palestine has lots of unused investment opportunities in various economic sectors as well in agriculture, tourism, industry, technology, water, natural and energy resources," said Ouda, according to the statement.

She went on saying that the main reason that these opportunities are not used well is the Israeli restrictions and obstacles it imposed on the Palestinian economy, mainly at crossing points and terminals.

"I hope that the sessions of dialogue with the American side would come up with recommendations and agreements that back the fair Palestinian position in boosting their national economy, the free movement and investment," she said.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem said the dialogue with the Palestinian side "aims at activating a vital mechanism that treats all the economic challenges" and looking for opportunities that boosts "our comprehensive goals to accomplish the agreed-upon two states principle."

"The American-Palestinian economic dialogue is the first since 2004, and the U.S. plans to host the second round of dialogue with the Palestinians in Washington next year," said the U.S. statement. Endit