The Malta Independent on Sunday
Malta and Palestine launch joint intergovernmental committee
On Friday Minister for Foreign Affairs George Vella and his Palestinian counterpart Riad Malki officially launched the Maltese-Palestinian Joint-Intergovernmental Committee.
Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici, Palestinian Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Rula Ma’ayah and senior officials from the Ministries for Tourism, Education and the Economy from both sides were also present.
The launch followed the signature of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the Maltese-Palestinian Joint Intergovernmental Committee during the visit of Dr Vella to Palestine on 30 October 2014.
The aim of this Committee is to assist Palestine in three sectors which are crucial for the development of the Palestinian infrastructure, namely tourism, education and the economy. During the first meeting of the Committee, Foreign Minister Vella announced concrete aid which addresses needs identified by the Palestinian side: two scholarships which are awarded to Palestinian students in the fields of Humanitarian Action and Conservation of Built Heritage, a placement for a Palestinian student at the Maltese Institute of Tourism Studies as well as financial assistance to a hospital based in Bethlehem.
After the inauguration ceremony, the two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Establishing Bilateral Cooperation, which, especially through the participation of the Ministry for the Economy, In- vestment and Small Business, is expected to provide expertise to the Palestinian side in matters concerning Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs).
In addition to bilateral meetings between the two Foreign Ministers, meetings were held between the three other Ministries and their Maltese counterparts in which was explored further collaboration from which could benefit both the Maltese and Palestinian sides.