As chairman of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Assistance to the Palestinians (AHLC), Foreign Minister Jan Petersen has invited donors to a meeting of the AHLC in Rome on 10 December.

- The situation in the Palestinian Territory is very worrying, said Foreign Minister Petersen. It is therefore important that the Palestinians receive a clear political signal that the international community is still supporting them. At the same time, there are aspects of the current situation that indicate there may be a potential for new momentum in the peace process. The establishment of the new Palestinian government is an important step forward. In addition to mobilising support for the Palestinians, the meeting in Rome will be a good opportunity to discuss the prospects for the coming year, continued the Minister.

The aim of the meeting is to gain an overview of the assistance needs in the Palestinian Territory, to agree on priorities, to mobilise further international assistance and to enhance the dialogue with Israeli authorities on the provision of assistance and on humanitarian efforts in the Palestinian Territory.

Mr Petersen will chair the opening session. Italy will be represented by Foreign Minister Frattini. The Israeli delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Shalom, and the Palestinian delegation, which will include five ministers, by Foreign Minister Shaath. World Bank President James Wolfensohn will also be attending the conference.

The AHLC was set up in the wake of the Oslo accords in order to co-ordinate financial assistance to the Palestinians. Norway has held the chairmanship since the beginning and is still the largest donor in per capita terms. The other actors represented at the conference will be the USA, the EU, Japan, Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the UN Special Coordinator.