Foreign Minister Schetyna in Bethlehem

Poland will increase aid to the Palestinian National Authority, Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna announced.

The minister met with Palestinian authorities, as well as visited locations which are receiving Polish funds.

Last year, Poland allocated more than PLN 2 million for technical assistance projects in the Palestinian National Authority.

Grzegorz Schetyna told reporters that aid will be increased to the Polish nuns of the St. Elizabeth orphanage in Bethlehem.

“We will support and extend our pledge. Development aid is something that is important to the Poland, because in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s someone also helped [Poland] when we needed assistance. Today, it is true dimension of modern solidarity. We should help those who really need help, and here there are many such people,” Schetyna said.

Poland provided financial aid to the renovation of the Basilica of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem, which is the church built on the site of Christ's birth, Schetyna said.

Ziad Bandak, the Palestinian government official responsible for renovation, said that Poland paid USD50,000 to this fund.

“This sum went for the renovation of three small doors. We hope that Poland will spend more money, because the renovation still need more resources,” Bandak stressed. (rg)

Source: PAP