Peres, Qureia agree to cooperate
Deputy prime minister and Palestinian prime minister discuss economic pullout cooperation
TEL AVIV - Professional Israeli and Palestinian teams will begin working together in a bid to coordinate the upcoming pullout’s economic aspects, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia agreed Thursday.
The two figures met in the framework of efforts to facilitate cooperation between the two sides, as the disengagement date approaches.
The most important issue on the Palestinian Authority’s agenda should be the question of security and the merging of its security forces, Peres said during Thursday’s meeting.
Qureia, meanwhile, said changes in the PA's security establishment are expected in the near future.
'Economic peace would lead to political peace'
The first issue raised during the meeting was security arrangements for the Erez industrial zone in the Gaza Strip, in order to ensure work for Palestinian Gaza residents.
The Palestinian side also emphasized the importance of restoring its infrastructures, including water, electricity and sewage, as well as the removal of road blocks and the lifting of closures.
Peres said the economy is the most powerful driving force in the world and that it provides political results.
Economic peace would lead to political peace, which would in turn provide security and dignity to to residents of the region, he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s advisor Dov Weisglass and Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat are scheduled to meet Thursday evening, while Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is slated to meet with Palestinian Minister Mohammed Dahlan.
