natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The external budget support has dropped considerably.
The external budget support has dropped considerably.
There is no easy way to neither reduce the expenditures nor increase the domestic income.
There is no easy way to neither reduce the expenditures nor increase the domestic income.
I urge the donors to increase their budget support, and the PA to show maximum budget restraint while accelerating necessary reforms.
I urge the donors to increase their budget support, and the PA to show maximum budget restraint while accelerating necessary reforms.
It is critical to improve the collection of taxes and VAT and close the outstanding fiscal issues.
It is critical to improve the collection of taxes and VAT and close the outstanding fiscal issues.
I welcome the constructive discussions between the two parties on fiscal sector stability, especially the recent decision by Israel to maintaining banking relations, as well as continued progress towards bringing the Palestinian government’s Anti- Money Laundering regime in line with international standards, with support from international partners.
I welcome the constructive discussions between the two parties on fiscal sector stability, especially the recent decision by Israel to maintaining banking relations, as well as continued progress towards bringing the Palestinian government’s Anti- Money Laundering regime in line with international standards, with support from international partners.
On economic development, there has been insufficient progress.
On economic development, there has been insufficient progress.
The electricity agreement reached last fall was a positive breakthrough, but we are concerned about delays in its implementation.
The electricity agreement reached last fall was a positive breakthrough, but we are concerned about delays in its implementation.
There is huge potential for practical work that would change the situation in the West Bank and Gaza.
There is huge potential for practical work that would change the situation in the West Bank and Gaza.
I call on Israel to open for Palestinian economic activities in Area C.
I call on Israel to open for Palestinian economic activities in Area C.
It is possible to provide the West Bank and Gaza with sufficient energy and water within a reasonable timeframe.
It is possible to provide the West Bank and Gaza with sufficient energy and water within a reasonable timeframe.
The necessary measures have been identified.
The necessary measures have been identified.
We need focused and better coordinated efforts between the parties, and between the parties and the donors.
We need focused and better coordinated efforts between the parties, and between the parties and the donors.
We need planning, financing and implementation.
We need planning, financing and implementation.
We need to improve the collection of end-user payment for services delivered.
We need to improve the collection of end-user payment for services delivered.
Norway is looking forward to the launch of new local aid donor coordination structure shortly, in line with the new National Policy Agenda.
Norway is looking forward to the launch of new local aid donor coordination structure shortly, in line with the new National Policy Agenda.
This will provide leadership and focus our work.
This will provide leadership and focus our work.
Third,
Third,
I am deeply worried for Gaza.
I am deeply worried for Gaza.
Two million people live there.
Two million people live there.
Their situation is precarious in economic, political and humanitarian terms.
Their situation is precarious in economic, political and humanitarian terms.
I am concerned with the unacceptable practice by Hamas of taxing the supplies provided by the PA, and to levy additional customs on all imported goods into Gaza.
I am concerned with the unacceptable practice by Hamas of taxing the supplies provided by the PA, and to levy additional customs on all imported goods into Gaza.
I urge all parties to de-escalate the situation, and to take into consideration the needs of the people.
I urge all parties to de-escalate the situation, and to take into consideration the needs of the people.
In the donor conference in Cairo in 2014, we pledged to transform Gaza, and not only to reconstruct.
In the donor conference in Cairo in 2014, we pledged to transform Gaza, and not only to reconstruct.
We can and must do more.
We can and must do more.
I call on the donors to make good on their pledges in Cairo.
I call on the donors to make good on their pledges in Cairo.
We can deliver on our threefold agenda.
We can deliver on our threefold agenda.
We can change the situation for the people in the West Bank and Gaza.
We can change the situation for the people in the West Bank and Gaza.
By doing so, we also prepare the ground for a renewed political process which can improve the situation for both peoples.
By doing so, we also prepare the ground for a renewed political process which can improve the situation for both peoples.
Chair's Summary of the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC)
Chair's Summary of the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC)
Statement by Norway at the AHLC Meeting in Brussels
Norges innlegg på AHLC-møtet i Brussel
High Representative, Ministers, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen.
High Representative, Ministers, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen.
'Gaza cannot be pacified or dealt with in isolation from the other constituent part of the prospective Palestinian state.
-Gaza cannot be pacified or dealt with in isolation from the other constituent part of the prospective Palestinian state.
The state-building project will never become a reality without the reintegration of Gaza and the West Bank – politically, economically, and ultimately in terms of security', Foreign Minister Børge Brende, said in his speech in New York on 22 September 2014.
The state-building project will never become a reality without the reintegration of Gaza and the West Bank – politically, economically, and ultimately in terms of security, sa Brende bl.a. i sin åpningstale ved AHLC-møtet i New York 22. september.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
xcellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a privilege to welcome you all to this AHLC meeting in New York.
It is a privilege to welcome you all to this AHLC meeting in New York.
Let me first thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for kindly hosting us here at the UN.
Let me first thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for kindly hosting us here at the UN.
I would like to extend a special welcome to Prime Minister Hamdallah and Deputy Minister Hanegbi, and to our two co-sponsors, Secretary Kerry and High Representative Ashton.
I would like to extend a special welcome to Prime Minister Hamdallah and Deputy Minister Hanegbi, and to our two co-sponsors, Secretary Kerry and High Representative Ashton.
One year ago, the return of Israelis and Palestinians to final-status negotiations gave the two-state solution a new lease on life.
One year ago, the return of Israelis and Palestinians to final-status negotiations gave the two-state solution a new lease on life.
Today – I regret to say – we have come together in a less promising political context.
Today – I regret to say – we have come together in a less promising political context.
Just in the last few months, we have again witnessed the breakdown of peace talks and the outbreak of war in Gaza – the third in less than six years, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
Just in the last few months, we have again witnessed the breakdown of peace talks and the outbreak of war in Gaza – the third in less than six years, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
Against the backdrop of this challenging political horizon, I feel compelled to make three main observations.
Against the backdrop of this challenging political horizon, I feel compelled to make three main observations.
Now is the time to reaffirm in word and deed our commitment to the vision of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.
Now is the time to reaffirm in word and deed our commitment to the vision of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.
The burden of proof lies first and foremost on those who have failed to do their part.
The burden of proof lies first and foremost on those who have failed to do their part.
From the outset, the three-party cooperation between the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the international donor community has rested on an unwritten contract: As long as the Israelis and Palestinians move forward on the political track, the donors will be ready to support them on the economic track.
From the outset, the three-party cooperation between the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the international donor community has rested on an unwritten contract: As long as the Israelis and Palestinians move forward on the political track, the donors will be ready to support them on the economic track.
In view of yet another derailed process, the donors need to be convinced that the parties are not in material breach.
In view of yet another derailed process, the donors need to be convinced that the parties are not in material breach.
Only an urgent return to credible negotiations will do.
Only an urgent return to credible negotiations will do.
In the meantime, it should be no surprise to anyone that donor contributions are lagging behind the Palestinian Authority’s undiminished needs for external support.
In the meantime, it should be no surprise to anyone that donor contributions are lagging behind the Palestinian Authority’s undiminished needs for external support.
The IMF projects that the Palestinian budget deficit will reach USD 1.5 billion in 2014.
The IMF projects that the Palestinian budget deficit will reach USD 1.5 billion in 2014.
By the end of the third quarter, the PA has received less than half of that amount in disbursed budget support.
By the end of the third quarter, the PA has received less than half of that amount in disbursed budget support.
It is hard to see any constellation of donors that is willing and able to make up the resulting shortfall.
It is hard to see any constellation of donors that is willing and able to make up the resulting shortfall.
That is, unless policies on the ground undergo fundamental and rapid change.
That is, unless policies on the ground undergo fundamental and rapid change.
Yet I urge those who have outstanding pledged contributions to honour their commitments.
Yet I urge those who have outstanding pledged contributions to honour their commitments.
In principle, the PA must gradually learn to live within its means.
In principle, the PA must gradually learn to live within its means.
It is disconcerting for donors to once again see projections of growing budget deficits in the latest three-year Palestinian National Development Plan.
It is disconcerting for donors to once again see projections of growing budget deficits in the latest three-year Palestinian National Development Plan.
Granted, the Hamdallah Government deserves praise for implementing measures to keep public-sector salary growth in check, while seeking ways and means of increasing revenue.
Granted, the Hamdallah Government deserves praise for implementing measures to keep public-sector salary growth in check, while seeking ways and means of increasing revenue.
Still the Palestinian Authority cannot break out of its structural donor dependence through fiscal discipline and institutional reforms alone.
Still the Palestinian Authority cannot break out of its structural donor dependence through fiscal discipline and institutional reforms alone.
The viability of a future Palestinian state will be determined not only by the strength of its institutions, but also by its ability to sustain economic growth.
The viability of a future Palestinian state will be determined not only by the strength of its institutions, but also by its ability to sustain economic growth.
The potential of the private sector must be tapped in order to fuel the drive towards independence, which in turn requires access to resources and markets in Area C and East Jerusalem, and foreign markets.
The potential of the private sector must be tapped in order to fuel the drive towards independence, which in turn requires access to resources and markets in Area C and East Jerusalem, and foreign markets.
Sooner rather than later, the Israeli closure regime must be reversed in the light of its strategic failings.
Sooner rather than later, the Israeli closure regime must be reversed in the light of its strategic failings.
Ultimately, security in Israel cannot be achieved by the steady erosion of the future Palestinian state’s viability, and of the very ground on which it is to be built.
Ultimately, security in Israel cannot be achieved by the steady erosion of the future Palestinian state’s viability, and of the very ground on which it is to be built.
Israel’s unceasing settlement project is bound to trigger more resistance and radicalisation, and not only in the West Bank.
Israel’s unceasing settlement project is bound to trigger more resistance and radicalisation, and not only in the West Bank.
Which brings me to my third and final point.
Which brings me to my third and final point.
Gaza cannot be pacified or dealt with in isolation from the other constituent part of the prospective Palestinian state.
Gaza cannot be pacified or dealt with in isolation from the other constituent part of the prospective Palestinian state.
The state-building project will never become a reality without the reintegration of Gaza and the West Bank – politically, economically, and ultimately in terms of security.
The state-building project will never become a reality without the reintegration of Gaza and the West Bank – politically, economically, and ultimately in terms of security.
The latest round of war in and around Gaza made it clear for all to see that the cycle of recurring violence and destruction must be broken.
The latest round of war in and around Gaza made it clear for all to see that the cycle of recurring violence and destruction must be broken.
Returning to the status quo ante is simply not an acceptable option.
Returning to the status quo ante is simply not an acceptable option.
That is why I already in July called for an international conference to address the major challenges in Gaza within its broader Palestinian context.
That is why I already in July called for an international conference to address the major challenges in Gaza within its broader Palestinian context.
And that is why I ask Israeli and Palestinian leaders to make good use of the window of opportunity which will open from now until the Cairo conference on Palestine and Gaza reconstruction, to be co-hosted by Egypt and Norway together with President Abbas on 12 October.
And that is why I ask Israeli and Palestinian leaders to make good use of the window of opportunity which will open from now until the Cairo conference on Palestine and Gaza reconstruction, to be co-hosted by Egypt and Norway together with President Abbas on 12 October.
It is an opportunity for both sides to lay the basis for a fundamental change in how the whole Gaza equation is dealt with, and to provide the clarity and predictability needed for large-scale donor mobilisation.
It is an opportunity for both sides to lay the basis for a fundamental change in how the whole Gaza equation is dealt with, and to provide the clarity and predictability needed for large-scale donor mobilisation.
It is an opportunity none of us can afford to miss.
It is an opportunity none of us can afford to miss.
Opening Address at the AHLC-meeting in New York
Åpningstale ved AHLC-møtet i New York
Chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), New York, 22 September 2014
Chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), New York, 22. september 2014
New York, 25 September 2013
New York, 25. september 2013
"The alternative to progress is not Status Quo, but the beginning of the end of the vision of the two state solution.
- The alternative to progress is not Status Quo, but the beginning of the end of the vision of the two state solution.
But contrary to our fears, we are today meeting in an atmosphere of hope.
But contrary to our fears, we are today meeting in an atmosphere of hope.
I am encouraged by the decision of the parties to return to the negotiating table", Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in his speech at the AHLC meeting in New York on 25 September 2013.
I am encouraged by the decision of the parties to return to the negotiating table, sa utenriksministerens bl.a. i sitt innlegg i New York 25.09.13.
Check against delivery
Check against delivery.
Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to this AHLC meeting in New York, at a crucial moment for the Middle East peace process.
It is a pleasure to welcome you to this AHLC meeting in New York, at a crucial moment for the Middle East peace process.
I would like to extend my warm thanks to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for hosting this meeting and extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Minister Yuval Steinitz.
I would like to extend my warm thanks to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for hosting this meeting and extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Minister Yuval Steinitz.
I am also pleased to welcome Secretary of State John Kerry, who will brief us on the political process, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Quartet Representative Tony Blair, who will give an outline of the Economic Initiative for Palestine.
I am also pleased to welcome Secretary of State John Kerry, who will brief us on the political process, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Quartet Representative Tony Blair, who will give an outline of the Economic Initiative for Palestine.
I would also like to thank my colleagues representing the major donors to the Palestinian Authority for being here today.
I would also like to thank my colleagues representing the major donors to the Palestinian Authority for being here today.
Two decades have passed since the signing of the Oslo Agreement in 1993.
Two decades have passed since the signing of the Oslo Agreement in 1993.
And two decades have passed since the establishment of the AHLC.
And two decades have passed since the establishment of the AHLC.
Last time we met many of us felt that time was rapidly running out for the two-state solution under the Oslo paradigm.
Last time we met many of us felt that time was rapidly running out for the two-state solution under the Oslo paradigm.
That is why I insisted on convening today’s meeting at ministerial level for the first time since September 2008.
That is why I insisted on convening today’s meeting at ministerial level for the first time since September 2008.
I am grateful that you all heeded this call.
I am grateful that you all heeded this call.
The alternative to progress is not Status Quo, but the beginning of the end of the vision of the two state solution.
The alternative to progress is not Status Quo, but the beginning of the end of the vision of the two state solution.
I am encouraged by the decision of the parties to return to the negotiating table.
I am encouraged by the decision of the parties to return to the negotiating table.
This gives us renewed belief that a final resolution to the long lasting Israeli–Palestinian conflict may be within reach.
This gives us renewed belief that a final resolution to the long lasting Israeli–Palestinian conflict may be within reach.
We recognize the courage of both parties to stay focused on their common effort, despite repeated attempts to derail the process.
We recognize the courage of both parties to stay focused on their common effort, despite repeated attempts to derail the process.
I commend the dedication and persistent efforts by President Obama and Secretary Kerry inject new energy into the peace process.
I commend the dedication and persistent efforts by President Obama and Secretary Kerry inject new energy into the peace process.
It makes our work as donors all the more meaningful.
It makes our work as donors all the more meaningful.
Our goal remains the same: the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state that will live side by side with Israel in peace and security.
Our goal remains the same: the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state that will live side by side with Israel in peace and security.
The leaders of Israel and the leaders of Palestine must show courage and determination to reach agreement.
The leaders of Israel and the leaders of Palestine must show courage and determination to reach agreement.
Donors must make additional efforts to underpin their endeavours.
Donors must make additional efforts to underpin their endeavours.
Time is of the essence.
Time is of the essence.
The Palestinian economy is slowing down.
The Palestinian economy is slowing down.
The Palestinian Authority is faced with serious financial difficulties.
The Palestinian Authority is faced with serious financial difficulties.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the Palestinian deficit for 2013 is likely to grow from budgeted 1.1 billion USD to 1.46 billion USD.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the Palestinian deficit for 2013 is likely to grow from budgeted 1.1 billion USD to 1.46 billion USD.
At the same time, budget support contributions from donors is currently forecasted at USD 1.1 billion USD.
At the same time, budget support contributions from donors is currently forecasted at USD 1.1 billion USD.
This shortfall is adding 350 million USD to the already high levels of arrears and debt.
This shortfall is adding 350 million USD to the already high levels of arrears and debt.
Let me be very clear, this deficit is harmful for private sector liquidity, economic growth and is undermining the fiscal position of the Palestinian Authority.
Let me be very clear, this deficit is harmful for private sector liquidity, economic growth and is undermining the fiscal position of the Palestinian Authority.
As donors we must do our utmost to help reverse this trend and make the Palestinian economy sustainable.
As donors we must do our utmost to help reverse this trend and make the Palestinian economy sustainable.
The Palestinian Authority must also do its part.
The Palestinian Authority must also do its part.
The Palestinian economic growth in recent years has largely been driven by donor funding.
The Palestinian economic growth in recent years has largely been driven by donor funding.
A growing public sector is now exceeding the limits of sustainability.
A growing public sector is now exceeding the limits of sustainability.
Hence, I agree with the recommendation from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank that a gradual shift from consumption towards more productive investment spending is required.
Hence, I agree with the recommendation from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank that a gradual shift from consumption towards more productive investment spending is required.
I welcome the Economic Initiative for Palestine being developed by the Quartet Representative.
I welcome the Economic Initiative for Palestine being developed by the Quartet Representative.
Mobilising private investments on such a scale could catalyse private sector-led growth in the Palestinian economy.
Mobilising private investments on such a scale could catalyse private sector-led growth in the Palestinian economy.
It will help provide a solid economic basis for an independent Palestine.
It will help provide a solid economic basis for an independent Palestine.
The Initiative points to a number of enabling factors.
The Initiative points to a number of enabling factors.
This includes easing of restrictions on the movement of people as well as capital and goods.
This includes easing of restrictions on the movement of people as well as capital and goods.
It also means the facilitation of Palestinian exports from the West Bank, from Gaza and from East Jerusalem.
It also means the facilitation of Palestinian exports from the West Bank, from Gaza and from East Jerusalem.