NORWAY CALLS FOR OPENING OF GAZA CROSSINGS, RECONSTRUCTING OF GAZA

**Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Bard Pedersen calls on the Israeli authorities to open the border crossings with Gaza.** (Photo: PIC)

Gaza, 15 Jumadil Awwal 1436/6 March 2015 (MINA) – Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Bard Pedersen called on the Israeli authorities to open the border crossings with Gaza and to permit the entry of construction materials into the Strip as well as allowing commercial traffic.

At the same time, Pedersen called on the international donors to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

In a news conference held in Gaza on Thursday, Pedersen stressed the need, now more than ever, for taking an urgent action to accelerate the reconstruction process.

The Norwegian official revealed that both Foreign Ministers of Norway and Egypt are writing to the donor countries asking them to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said that “the State of Norway is working on supporting the Palestinian Authority and is keen on the arrival of reconstruction funds in the Gaza Strip”.

Pedersen stressed the need to draw the attention of the international community to what is happening in the Israeli besieged Gaza Strip, again demanding to open the Gaza border crossings and to facilitate the entry of construction materials.

The Norwegian chief diplomat reached the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning through “Erez” crossing on a few-hour visit. He had a look at the devastation caused by last summer’s Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip where he also met with UN and Palestinians officials. (T/P011/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)