Foreign Minister Plassnik: “United approach for international community in Palestine” – EU Presidency press release/Non-UN document

After the meeting of the Middle East Quartet in London yesterday, diplomatic efforts have now turned to the financial crisis within the Palestinian Authority. Foreign Minister Plassnik telephoned Palestinian Foreign Minister Al-Kidwa concerning this matter and met UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, for informal talks at today's Afghanistan Conference.

"I appeal to the Palestinian Authority to take important steps towards reform so that payments from the trust fund administered by the World Bank may be resumed", Plassnik said. At the same time, she called upon the World Bank to seek a means of dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.