Belgium plans for Gaza economic conference

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said Tuesday his country would call for holding an economic conference to activate trade and improve the conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

During a press conference held on the ruins of the destroyed houses in Shijaiyah neighborhood, Reynders added that the conference would bring together Israeli and Palestinian businessmen from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as well as businessmen from Belgium and other European countries.

The Belgian foreign minister said the conference would not only deal with humanitarian issues in Gaza, but also with ways of boosting trade and investment, and launching economic activities in the region.

The process of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip is very slow, he added.

Reynders said that he discussed with the Israeli government ways to open the door for residents of Gaza to bring building and construction materials, as well as trade and economic development.

He added that meetings were held with the Palestinian and the Israeli governments to activate the "two-state solution", expressing his country's support for the French peace initiative.