NEWS RELEASES
November 15, 2005 (4:35 p.m. EST)
No. 217
MINISTER PETTIGREW WELCOMES OPENING OF GAZA CROSSINGS
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement
welcoming the agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on border
crossings in the Gaza Strip:
“We welcome today’s announcement, made by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, European Union High Representative Javier Solana, and Quartet Special Envoy
for Gaza Disengagement James Wolfensohn, on behalf of Israeli and Palestinian
negotiators.
“The willingness of both the Israelis and Palestinians to work out a plan to open the
Rafah crossing, allowing for the flow of people and goods at this critical time in the
Middle East region, is encouraging, and Canada will continue to provide its support to
ensure that progress continues.
“Canada urges both sides to use this momentum to reinvigorate peace talks, and to
pursue the goals set out in the Road Map for Peace.
“Canada is also pleased to see that the agreement will take effect almost immediately.
Equally important, the agreement paves the way for the development of a seaport,
opens the possibility of rebuilding Gaza International Airport, and situates the security
and economic revitalization of Israelis and Palestinians at the forefront.
“As part of our enhanced package of assistance to the Palestinians, Canada has
deployed a high-level border management expert in support of the work of the Quartet’s
Special Envoy. We will also rely on additional expert assistance to be provided by the
Canada Border Services Agency to the Palestinian Authority in the area of border
management in the coming months.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
James Christoff
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
|
