Malta would be donating funds from its overseas development aid to a United Nations’ agency set up to help Palestinian refugees, Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said during a visit to the Gaza Strip.
He was speaking at the end of a three-day tour of Israel and the Palestinian territories.
In December 2008, Israel launched a fierce 22-day offensive against the militant Islamic Hamas in Gaza, which killed about 1,400 Palestinians. In the fighting, 13 Israelis died, several from rockets and mortars fired by Palestinians into Israel.
Homes and essential infrastructure in Gaza were extensively damaged in the conflict and rebuilding has been hampered by Israeli restrictions on import of construction material.
“Malta is interested in launching projects for the benefit of Gaza... We will financially assist UNRWA (the UN Relief and Welfare Agency),” Dr Borg was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
A ministry spokesman explained that Malta would be donating funds from its €330,000 overseas development aid budget. However, it had not yet established how much would go to help the UN agency as a call for expressions of interest still had to be issued, he added.
Dr Borg and Israeli Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman discussed the possibility of exchanging information in the health sector and carrying out training courses in both countries on various aspects.
The situation in the Middle East peace process was discussed at a meeting with Israeli Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni. Dr Borg also met Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki and held extensive talks on the Middle East peace process and the role of the EU.
The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a joint political committee to improve political dialogue reflecting the developing state of relations between the two sides.
A second memorandum of understanding was signed with Palestinian Technology Minister Mashhour Abu Dakka through which Malta will provide expertise in eGovernment and eLearning.
Dr Borg laid a wreath at the tomb of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.