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Task force on Palestinian reform set to meet in Paris - UN spokesman

Task force on Palestinian reform set to meet in Paris - UN spokesman

Representatives of the diplomatic Quartet - the United Nations, United States, Russian Federation and European Union - and other interested parties are set to meet in Paris tomorrow to review progress made so far in the reform efforts of the Palestinian Authority.

In addition to the Quartet members, the International Task Force for Palestinian Reform includes Norway, Japan, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, a UN spokesman told a press briefing in New York.

The Palestinian delegation to the two-day meeting is expected be led by the Information Minister, Yasser Abed Rabbo, and will include a number of other cabinet level officials.

Meanwhile, Israel will be represented by the Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, Yossi Gal. Its delegation is also expected to include officials from the Finance Ministry and the Israeli Defence Force.

The Task Force, which was created in early July, has set up seven support groups to look at civil society, financial accountability, local government, market economy, elections, judicial and administrative reform.

The support groups operate on-site and work side-by-side with Palestinian officials to implement the 100-day reform initiative submitted by the Palestinian Authority earlier this year.