natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Real GDP growth in the West Bank reached an impressive 8%.
Real GDP growth in the West Bank reached an impressive 8%.
Economic activity in Gaza, however, still remains severely constrained by the continuing blockade.
Economic activity in Gaza, however, still remains severely constrained by the continuing blockade.
Despite the uneven performance, we take note of some other key trends: As a result of the increased growth rate, there was a major increase in domestic public revenues, which in turn has reduced the projected need for external budget support for 2010 to USD 1.2 billion, down by at least USD 200 million.
Despite the uneven performance, we take note of some other key trends: As a result of the increased growth rate, there was a major increase in domestic public revenues, which in turn has reduced the projected need for external budget support for 2010 to USD 1.2 billion, down by at least USD 200 million.
This is exactly what international donors need to see, given the high aid levels of recent years, which are clearly unsustainable in the long run.
This is exactly what international donors need to see, given the high aid levels of recent years, which are clearly unsustainable in the long run.
Let me take the opportunity to give credit where credit is due.
Let me take the opportunity to give credit where credit is due.
First, the Palestinian Authority has continued to build its solid track record in institution building and economic and security reforms.
First, the Palestinian Authority has continued to build its solid track record in institution building and economic and security reforms.
We urge the Fayyad Government to continue on the path of good governance, fiscal discipline and the rule of law, and to set clear priorities in order to achieve greater self-reliance and sustained private sector confidence.
We urge the Fayyad Government to continue on the path of good governance, fiscal discipline and the rule of law, and to set clear priorities in order to achieve greater self-reliance and sustained private sector confidence.
Second, these gains have in large part been enabled by international donors that have kept their end of the bargain and delivered on their Paris pledges of 2007.
Second, these gains have in large part been enabled by international donors that have kept their end of the bargain and delivered on their Paris pledges of 2007.
Now, Western and Arab donors alike must follow through and back up the Palestinian state-building project until its completion.
Now, Western and Arab donors alike must follow through and back up the Palestinian state-building project until its completion.
Predictable and regular aid disbursements continue to be essential, given the still precarious fiscal position of the Palestinian Authority.
Predictable and regular aid disbursements continue to be essential, given the still precarious fiscal position of the Palestinian Authority.
In spite of some donors’ first-quarter frontloading of their contributions this year, the outstanding need for direct budgetary support for the remainder of 2010 is projected at about USD 1 billion.
In spite of some donors’ first-quarter frontloading of their contributions this year, the outstanding need for direct budgetary support for the remainder of 2010 is projected at about USD 1 billion.
Third, Israel has helped to facilitate Palestinian economic growth in 2009 by easing some of the restrictions on movement and access in the West Bank.
Third, Israel has helped to facilitate Palestinian economic growth in 2009 by easing some of the restrictions on movement and access in the West Bank.
The positive impact of this should encourage the Israeli authorities to lift restrictions on a larger scale and facilitate private and public investments throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including in “Area C”.
The positive impact of this should encourage the Israeli authorities to lift restrictions on a larger scale and facilitate private and public investments throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including in “Area C”.
Paving the way for a business-friendly environment is key to tapping the potential of private investors in the Arab Gulf and the Palestinian diaspora.
Paving the way for a business-friendly environment is key to tapping the potential of private investors in the Arab Gulf and the Palestinian diaspora.
However, the recent promising developments are inherently fragile and could rapidly be reversed.
However, the recent promising developments are inherently fragile and could rapidly be reversed.
In my view, there are three areas that threaten to undermine our collective efforts:
In my view, there are three areas that threaten to undermine our collective efforts:
First, there is East Jerusalem and the loss of its former role as the economic engine of Palestinian society.
First, there is East Jerusalem and the loss of its former role as the economic engine of Palestinian society.
As a final status issue, Jerusalem is addressed in other arenas than the AHLC.
As a final status issue, Jerusalem is addressed in other arenas than the AHLC.
But the political predicament is compounded by the socio-economic crisis suffered by the city’s Palestinian residents, caused largely by the severing of East Jerusalem’s historical and economic ties with its West Bank hinterland.
But the political predicament is compounded by the socio-economic crisis suffered by the city’s Palestinian residents, caused largely by the severing of East Jerusalem’s historical and economic ties with its West Bank hinterland.
Second, there is Gaza.
Second, there is Gaza.
The recent escalation of cross-border violence is a reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent about the precarious state of Gaza.
The recent escalation of cross-border violence is a reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent about the precarious state of Gaza.
The desperate living conditions and the dramatic de-development of the local economy that have followed in the wake of the economic blockade are politically counterproductive.
The desperate living conditions and the dramatic de-development of the local economy that have followed in the wake of the economic blockade are politically counterproductive.
The need to reopen the crossings to allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and – not least – people goes beyond the requirements of international law and human decency.
The need to reopen the crossings to allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and – not least – people goes beyond the requirements of international law and human decency.
As a donor, I am struck by Prime Minister Fayyad’s estimate that the annual cost of the blockade in loss of revenue to the Palestinian Authority amounts to at least USD 500 million, an uncertain share of which today ends up in the hands of Gaza’s de facto authorities.
As a donor, I am struck by Prime Minister Fayyad’s estimate that the annual cost of the blockade in loss of revenue to the Palestinian Authority amounts to at least USD 500 million, an uncertain share of which today ends up in the hands of Gaza’s de facto authorities.
The resulting informal tunnel economy sustains the current political impasse, which is holding back efforts to reunify the West Bank and Gaza as indivisible parts of one territory, under one legitimate authority.
The resulting informal tunnel economy sustains the current political impasse, which is holding back efforts to reunify the West Bank and Gaza as indivisible parts of one territory, under one legitimate authority.
Last but not least, we have the peace process itself.
Last but not least, we have the peace process itself.
As I have stressed previously, we need a clear political horizon in order to mobilise and justify the high levels of donor aid that are still required to bring the state-building project to fruition.
As I have stressed previously, we need a clear political horizon in order to mobilise and justify the high levels of donor aid that are still required to bring the state-building project to fruition.
The ultimate aim of this undertaking is political, not humanitarian.
The ultimate aim of this undertaking is political, not humanitarian.
Finally, let me conclude by reiterating our support for the programme of the Fayyad Government.
Finally, let me conclude by reiterating our support for the programme of the Fayyad Government.
A key function of the plan is that it charts a steady course for the three-party cooperation of the AHLC, independent of the ebb and flow of the political-track peace efforts.
A key function of the plan is that it charts a steady course for the three-party cooperation of the AHLC, independent of the ebb and flow of the political-track peace efforts.
However, bottom-up approaches alone can only go so far.
However, bottom-up approaches alone can only go so far.
Sooner or later, they must be reinforced by a top-down push if we are to finally arrive at our two-state solution.
Sooner or later, they must be reinforced by a top-down push if we are to finally arrive at our two-state solution.
New York, 18 September 2011
New York, 18. september 2011
"I call on the AHLC to continue its efforts to accompany the PA through the challenging transition ahead.
- I call on the AHLC to continue its efforts to accompany the PA through the challenging transition ahead.
This is the only way we can secure the success that we have achieved so far", said Foreign Minister Støre in his Opening address at the AHLC meeting in New York.
This is the only way we can secure the success that we have achieved so far, sa utenriksminister Støre bl.a. i sin åpningstale under giverlandsmøtet for palestinerne (AHLC-møtet) i New York.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this AHLC meeting in New York, and continuing our tradition we convene at the United Nations.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this AHLC meeting in New York, and continuing our tradition we convene at the United Nations.
Let me thank Under-Secretary General Lynn Pascoe for hosting this meeting at the UN, and extend a special welcome to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Quartet Representative Tony Blair.
Let me thank Under-Secretary General Lynn Pascoe for hosting this meeting at the UN, and extend a special welcome to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Quartet Representative Tony Blair.
Let me also welcome Australia as a new participant in this group.
Let me also welcome Australia as a new participant in this group.
Australia has today signed a 5-year framework agreement of a value of 120 million Australian dollars with the PA.
Australia has today signed a 5-year framework agreement of a value of 120 million Australian dollars with the PA.
We convene this meeting of the AHLC in a turbulent regional context and with changes unfolding in the Palestinian landscape.
We convene this meeting of the AHLC in a turbulent regional context and with changes unfolding in the Palestinian landscape.
We know that the Palestinian cause and quest for statehood will be on the political agenda here in New York in the coming days and weeks.
We know that the Palestinian cause and quest for statehood will be on the political agenda here in New York in the coming days and weeks.
Many of us will be engaged in that process – the political process – aiming for negotiations towards a lasting peace and end of conflict based on a two-state solution.
Many of us will be engaged in that process – the political process – aiming for negotiations towards a lasting peace and end of conflict based on a two-state solution.
This afternoon, however, the framework for our deliberations is the AHLC, the donor support group to the Palestinian Authority.
This afternoon, however, the framework for our deliberations is the AHLC, the donor support group to the Palestinian Authority.
My ambition as AHLC chair is to keep focus on our core task and fulfil what we have set out: Our core mission is to assist the Palestinian Authority in completing the building of institutions, in persevering in the Palestinian reform process, and in ensuring a long-term viable economy.
My ambition as AHLC chair is to keep focus on our core task and fulfil what we have set out: Our core mission is to assist the Palestinian Authority in completing the building of institutions, in persevering in the Palestinian reform process, and in ensuring a long-term viable economy.
The two processes – that I have called the top-down process of final status negotiations and the bottom-up process of helping building viable institutions – are of course linked.
The two processes – that I have called the top-down process of final status negotiations and the bottom-up process of helping building viable institutions – are of course linked.
The one can hardly be sustained without the other.
The one can hardly be sustained without the other.
Ideally the two should converge, and ideally we should have been in a position – here this month – to declare that solid, transparent and accountable institutions stand ready as the parties conclude the negotiations on the outstanding final status institutions.
Ideally the two should converge, and ideally we should have been in a position – here this month – to declare that solid, transparent and accountable institutions stand ready as the parties conclude the negotiations on the outstanding final status institutions.
This convergence is not happening.
This convergence is not happening.
This we regret, all the more so because our process – led by Prime Minister Fayyad and supported by the AHLC – is about to deliver.
This we regret, all the more so because our process – led by Prime Minister Fayyad and supported by the AHLC – is about to deliver.
It is all the more important that we focus fully on taking stock of this effort – to determine where we stand, how objectives have been met and what challenges lie ahead.
It is all the more important that we focus fully on taking stock of this effort – to determine where we stand, how objectives have been met and what challenges lie ahead.
Let me recall some key events from these last four years.
Let me recall some key events from these last four years.
When a new government was formed in the West Bank in 2007, the PA, together with the international donor community, started to rebuild key institutions.
When a new government was formed in the West Bank in 2007, the PA, together with the international donor community, started to rebuild key institutions.
Funding was pledged at the donor conference in Paris in December 2007, and the donors delivered on their commitments over the following three-year period.
Funding was pledged at the donor conference in Paris in December 2007, and the donors delivered on their commitments over the following three-year period.
Major reforms were implemented by the PA, and the Government of Israel responded by gradually easing its restrictions on access and movement of goods and people.
Major reforms were implemented by the PA, and the Government of Israel responded by gradually easing its restrictions on access and movement of goods and people.
At our meeting here in New York two years ago, we acknowledged the political programme put forward by the Prime Minister, which aimed at completing the building of the institutions needed for a Palestinian state to function and prosper.
At our meeting here in New York two years ago, we acknowledged the political programme put forward by the Prime Minister, which aimed at completing the building of the institutions needed for a Palestinian state to function and prosper.
This plan, together with the stated ambition to negotiate an end to the conflict constituted the political framework for turning the two-state vision into reality.
This plan, together with the stated ambition to negotiate an end to the conflict constituted the political framework for turning the two-state vision into reality.
They offered the much-needed political horizon and gave momentum to the AHLC’s efforts to mobilise the donor community in a coordinated effort.
They offered the much-needed political horizon and gave momentum to the AHLC’s efforts to mobilise the donor community in a coordinated effort.
Looking back today, we can confirm that the efforts to build robust state institutions and revive the Palestinian economy stand out as an international success story.
Looking back today, we can confirm that the efforts to build robust state institutions and revive the Palestinian economy stand out as an international success story.
When we met in Brussels last April, under the auspices of the High Representative Cathrine Ashton, we welcomed the assessment by the World Bank, the IMF, and the UN that the PA is above the threshold for a functioning state in the key sectors they studied, and that Palestinian institutions compare favourably with those in established states.
When we met in Brussels last April, under the auspices of the High Representative Cathrine Ashton, we welcomed the assessment by the World Bank, the IMF, and the UN that the PA is above the threshold for a functioning state in the key sectors they studied, and that Palestinian institutions compare favourably with those in established states.
In recent years, we have witnessed unprecedented progress in the quality and functioning of these institutions, high levels of growth, restoration of basic living conditions and security in the West Bank, and improved hope for the people.
In recent years, we have witnessed unprecedented progress in the quality and functioning of these institutions, high levels of growth, restoration of basic living conditions and security in the West Bank, and improved hope for the people.
This is a remarkable achievement made possible by the concerted action of Palestinians, Israelis and donors.
This is a remarkable achievement made possible by the concerted action of Palestinians, Israelis and donors.
However, although the quality of the institutions is now undisputed, the reality on the ground is highly complex.
However, although the quality of the institutions is now undisputed, the reality on the ground is highly complex.
Not only because there is political and diplomatic stalemate on the negotiation track, but also because the effect of the occupation on the ground severely hampers the functioning of the economy.
Not only because there is political and diplomatic stalemate on the negotiation track, but also because the effect of the occupation on the ground severely hampers the functioning of the economy.
And finally because the clear signs of donor fatigue complicates the balance sheet of the Palestinian economy.
And finally because the clear signs of donor fatigue complicates the balance sheet of the Palestinian economy.
We can read the immediate result on the ground, as presented to us today by the World Bank, the IMF and the UN:
We can read the immediate result on the ground, as presented to us today by the World Bank, the IMF and the UN:
The Palestinian economy is showing a significant slowdown of growth in the West Bank.
The Palestinian economy is showing a significant slowdown of growth in the West Bank.
This slowdown is due to continued fiscal retrenchment, reductions in aid from donors and a consequent liquidity crisis, as well as the lack of further major easing of Israeli restrictions.
This slowdown is due to continued fiscal retrenchment, reductions in aid from donors and a consequent liquidity crisis, as well as the lack of further major easing of Israeli restrictions.
Gaza’s output continues to recover with a high level of growth, but from a repressed level, following the easing of the import control regime in mid-2010.
Gaza’s output continues to recover with a high level of growth, but from a repressed level, following the easing of the import control regime in mid-2010.
Since then, more changes have been made to the access regime into Gaza than to that into the West Bank.
Since then, more changes have been made to the access regime into Gaza than to that into the West Bank.
According to the World Bank, the acute fiscal crisis, accompanied by declining economic growth, threatens to undermine the gains in institution-building that have so painstakingly been made over the past several years.
According to the World Bank, the acute fiscal crisis, accompanied by declining economic growth, threatens to undermine the gains in institution-building that have so painstakingly been made over the past several years.
So this dear friends, I believe is the backdrop.
So this dear friends, I believe is the backdrop.
At this meeting of the AHLC, we need to look ahead.
At this meeting of the AHLC, we need to look ahead.
We will address the approach by the PA and Prime Minister Fayyad to facilitate the transition from substantial external funding of recurrent costs to economic independence.
We will address the approach by the PA and Prime Minister Fayyad to facilitate the transition from substantial external funding of recurrent costs to economic independence.
The Prime Minister stated that the PA finds itself compelled to accelerate the pace of an already strong fiscal adjustment effort.
The Prime Minister stated that the PA finds itself compelled to accelerate the pace of an already strong fiscal adjustment effort.
In order to achieve fiscal sustainability and economic viability in an orderly and manageable process, we believe the following measures are required:
In order to achieve fiscal sustainability and economic viability in an orderly and manageable process, we believe the following measures are required:
Donors must provide predictable funding for budget support, both for the remainder of 2011 and for the whole of 2012.
Donors must provide predictable funding for budget support, both for the remainder of 2011 and for the whole of 2012.
This will pave the way for shifting assistance from budget support to investment funding from 2013.
This will pave the way for shifting assistance from budget support to investment funding from 2013.
VAT collection in Israel on trade between Israel and the PA must be improved, and regular transfers of the clearance revenue must be ensured.
VAT collection in Israel on trade between Israel and the PA must be improved, and regular transfers of the clearance revenue must be ensured.
Although we understand the security concerns – we fully do – the access and movement regime in the West Bank and Gaza must be further dismantled to allow for increased public and private investments as well as development of infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza.
Although we understand the security concerns – we fully do – the access and movement regime in the West Bank and Gaza must be further dismantled to allow for increased public and private investments as well as development of infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza.
Without further and more radical measures, the Palestinian economy simply cannot become viable, no economy can prosper under such conditions.
Without further and more radical measures, the Palestinian economy simply cannot become viable, no economy can prosper under such conditions.
Referring to the reports to this meeting, I would like to add that donors should not accept that their contributions are used to finance the costs incurred by a continued closure regime.
Referring to the reports to this meeting, I would like to add that donors should not accept that their contributions are used to finance the costs incurred by a continued closure regime.
The PA must continue exercising strong fiscal discipline and control, as well as further tighten public spending during the transition period.
The PA must continue exercising strong fiscal discipline and control, as well as further tighten public spending during the transition period.
The PA must increase its domestic revenues by broadening and tightening its taxation base and collection mechanisms.
The PA must increase its domestic revenues by broadening and tightening its taxation base and collection mechanisms.