Germany pledges one million euros to UNRWA in Gaza (Extra)

Nov 1, 2007, 17:29 GMT

Ramallah - Germany has pledged one million euros for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, visiting German Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier said during a press conference in Ramallah on Thursday evening with Palestinian Minister of Information Riad al Malaki.

The donation, which comes in addition to significant funds Germany already gave to the Palestinians either bilaterally or through the EU, will go to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Meanwhile, Malaki's office said a Palestinian delegation, to include himself, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other ministers, will head to Germany at the end of the month to light a Christmas tree in Berlin set to be decorated with items from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, which according to the Christian belief is where Jesus was born.

Speaking about the upcoming US-sponsored international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict set to take place in Annapolis, Maryland, Steinmeier urged the sides not to 'waste an opportunity' to advance the peace process.

Steinmeier, who met earlier with Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, was scheduled to meet Abbas later in the evening. On Wednesday, he net with Fayyad.