Palestinian minister praises Canada For supporting the PA

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki paid a visit to Canada and met with the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. They discussed last developments on the Palestinian and Arabic political arena and also talked about the obstacles Israel has created to discussing the basic issues of the peace process during negotiations. They also talked about the continued illegal Israeli settlement construction and the Israeli government's and settlers' attacks on Palestinians and their properties as well as the daily raids on the Palestinian cities; especially the refugee camps. Al-Malki said during a joint Ottawa news conference with Minister John Baird that Canada has been a great contributor to the Palestinian Authority's building and developing projects. Baird pointed out that Canada's $300 million, five-year aid pledge to the Palestinian Authority, which was due to expire in March, has been extended for one year. He also committed to another long-term package. Al-Malki praised Canada for its support of the peace process, and for extending the aid pledge as well as giving aid to the building of a court in the West Bank city of Tulkarem.