Complex sentence: Originally, the Protocol on Economic Relations was meant to remain in force for an interim period of five years and this limited time helped encourage Palestinian negotiators to sign it, to be the first step to make progress.
Split into simpler sentences: Originally, the Protocol on Economic Relations was meant to remain in force for an interim period of five years. The limited time the agreement was supposed to be operative helped encourage Palestinian negotiators to sign it, to be the first step to make progress.