31/07/03

Speaker of the Palestinian Legislature to visit NZ

Palestinian Legislature Speaker Ahmed Qurie (Abu Ala), is to visit New Zealand next week, New Zealand’s Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt announced today.

“I am delighted to host his visit and look forward to meeting him,” Mr Hunt said.

Mr Qurie will meet Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians and observe a session of the New Zealand Parliament in action, as well as giving an address to the New Zealand Institute for International Affairs.

“I am aware of the the New Zealand Government’s policy of strengthening relations with the Palestinian Authority, in this case through building parliamentary linkages.
The last such parliamentary visit from the region was that of an Israeli Knesset delegation two years ago.

“It will provide an opportunity for New Zealand Government representatives and members of the public to hear the Palestinian perspective first-hand.

“It will also give Mr Qurie a chance to meet me and my fellow parliamentarians, and see the New Zealand parliamentary system in action, at a time when the Palestinian Authority itself is looking at reform of its institutions (including working towards the holding of elections),” Mr Hunt said.

Mr Qurie arrives in New Zealand on Sunday August 3 following a visit to the United States and leaves for Australia on Friday, August 8.

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