Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation to visit Palestinian areas and Israel – Swedish Foreign Ministry press release/Non-UN document (excerpts)

Carin Jämtin to visit the Palestinian areas and Israel

Minister for International Development Cooperation Carin Jämtin is to visit the Palestinian areas and Israel on 18-23 May.

Carin Jämtin will meet government representatives, representatives of civil society and international organisations on the Palestinian side. Her programme also includes a field visit to the West Bank, including a visit to the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) international observer force.

On the Israeli side, Carin Jämtin will take part in meetings with Socialist International Women and will also hold bilateral meetings with Israeli representatives.

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The focus for Swedish development cooperation with the Palestinian areas today is the welfare of children, programmes to create employment, support to the maintenance of social services and humanitarian relief. Support is also given to initiatives that may directly promote resumption of the peace process. In 2004, payments amounted to SEK 148 million. As a result of the situation in the Palestinian areas, efforts in the humanitarian field have increased during the past two years from SEK 15 million in 2001 to SEK 78 million in 2004. Sweden also gives considerable grants to the UN bodies tasked with support to Palestinian refugees (UNRWA); a total of SEK 195 million in 2004. Twelve Swedes are currently participating in the TIPH international observer force.