Singapore has given a healthcare assistance package worth about S$750,000 to the Palestinian Authority to help it fight Covid-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday (March 20).

Singapore also intends to establish a representative office in Ramallah, which will help to coordinate the Republic's technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority and support the work of Singapore’s Non-Resident Representative to the Palestinian Authority.

This comes as Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan paid a visit to the Palestinian Territories on Sunday, where he called on Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al-Malki.

During the visit, Dr Balakrishnan affirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and the Palestinian Authority.

The healthcare assistance package that Singapore has given includes 10,000 Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test kits developed by Singapore-based Alliance BioMed and 30,000 reusable masks donated by Temasek Foundation.

It also contains healthcare courses and postgraduate scholarships aimed at training Palestinian healthcare policymakers and professionals.

Dr Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority through capacity-building, as he encouraged more Palestinian officials to participate in training courses under Singapore's S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package (ETAP) for the Palestinians.

To facilitate closer coordination with the Palestinian Authority to implement the ETAP, Dr Balakrishnan conveyed Singapore’s intention to establish a representative office in Ramallah, which is welcomed by Mr Al-Malki.

At the meeting, Dr Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, in order to achieve a durable, just and comprehensive solution.

Dr Balakrishnan expressed hope that both the Israeli and Palestinian sides will find ways to engage in direct negotiations on the basis of a two-state solution.

He also urged all parties to refrain from any unilateral actions that could increase tensions and undermine the prospects for peace. 

On behalf of President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Balakrishnan conveyed letters of invitation to President Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Shtayyeh respectively to visit Singapore, which the Palestinian leaders welcomed.

Source:
courtesy of TODAY

by TODAY ONLINE

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