President Rivlin meets with UNOPS Executive Director Faremo 8 December 2014
Israeli Missions Around The World Wellington News and Events President Rivlin meets with UNOPS Executive Director Faremo 8 December 2014

President Rivlin meets with UNOPS Executive Director Faremo

  • 12/8/2014
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    President Rivlin: We are working hard to improve the future of the people of Gaza. The rehabilitation of Gaza is a mutual interest, and a direct interest of the State of Israel.
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    President Rivlin with UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo in Jerusalem President Rivlin with UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo in Jerusalem Copyright: GPO/mark Neiman
     
     
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    (Communicated by the President’s Media Advisor)
    President Reuven Rivlin today (Monday 8 December 2014), held a working meeting with Mrs. Grete Faremo, executive director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).  At the beginning of the meeting, President Rivlin said, "It is a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.  I must stress to you, that we are working hard to improve the future of the people of Gaza.  The rehabilitation of Gaza is a mutual interest, and a direct interest of the State of Israel.
     
    "We know the people of Gaza have suffered.  But unfortunately the innocent people of Gaza are held captive by the terrorist group Hamas, and I believe they deserve a better and safer life.  We are fighting a terrorist organization, and we had to act to stop the terrorist and rocket attacks against Israel."
     
    "The rehabilitation of Gaza is an Israeli interest; the improvement of the lives of the people of Gaza will promote understanding and will help in the search for a solution to live in security.  We know that you are working to improve the situation across the world, and your focus on our region is greatly appreciated.  We are looking forward to working together, and we are prepared to walk hand in hand with you in order to find a way to improve the lives of the citizens of Gaza.  We are working to provide the resources to the people of Gaza and to promote cooperation – especially with the UN – in order to assist with the reconstruction of Gaza.  However, it must be assured that the money and resources are not used to replenish the terrorist infrastructure."
     
    UNOPS Executive Director Mrs. Grete Faremo, thanked the President and said, "We take pride in implementing new projects that have been designated.  We are happy to work with Israel, the Palestinians, and also the EU on implementing these projects.  We have made very good progress, even though we understand there are significant challenges.
     
    "I was at the conference in Cairo, and we were pleased to see there were many who wanted to work with Israel and the Palestinians, to improve the lives of the people of this region, and we are hopeful of cooperation and partnership moving forward, because, when people see changes on the ground, they can see hope in the future."
     
    This was Mrs. Faremo's first visit to Israel since her appointment earlier this year.