Ramallah- 18th January 2012 - EUPOL COPPS hosted on Wednesday a new year’s reception in the West Bank city of Ramallah, attended by dozens of Palestinian officials, senior security and police officers, representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations.
Henrik MALMQUIST, the Head of Mission, in a keynote speech, welcomed the guests and praised the Palestinian Authority’s endeavour to build institutions of the state.
“2011 was an eventful year for the Palestinians. First and foremost, years of successful Palestinian state-building culminated in the international community certifying that the Palestinian Authority is technically ready for statehood. On this achievement I congratulate all Palestinians,” MALMQUIST addressed the attendees.
MALMQUIST hoped that 2012 may be a “historical year where the long years of effort and the considerable achievements made will deliver the goal we all seek, the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on a viable and just peace agreement between you and your neighbouring country, Israel.”
To conclude, the Head of Mission recalled the important commitment of the EU to strengthen law and order in the occupied Palestinian territory. “EUPOL COPPS has been around since 2005 and its continued presence and the process to once again increase its operations is a strong expression of the continuous commitment by the European Union to the Middle East peace process.”
Among the honourable guests were the Palestinian Minister of Planning Ali JARBAWI, the Chief of Palestinian Civil Police Major General Hazem ATTALLAH, the head of National Security Forces Major General Nidal Abu DUKHAN, Deputy Minister of Justice Khalil KARAJEH and the Acting EU Representative John GATT-RUTTER
