The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities "APLA", represented by its President, Abdelkarim Al-Zubeidi, entered a Memorandum of Understanding "MoU" with its Greek counterpart, represented by its President, Demetrius Papastergiou. This aims to confirm the joint cooperation between both associations, as well as enhancing cooperation and partnerships between Palestinian Local Authorities and their Greek counterparts as part of supporting local authorities to engage in global programs and develop their international relations.
The MoU was signed during the activities of the Expo organized by the Greek Association of Local Authorities on Advanced Technology for Smart Cities, in the city of Thessaloniki, with the participation of the head of International Relations Committeeat APLA, Mayor of Tubas, Hussam Daraghmeh, and members of the Executive Committee, Mayor of Tulkarem, Dr. Riyad Awad, Mayor of Yatta, Saleh Awwad, Mayor of Arrabeh, Ahmad Ardah, and APLA's Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati, hosted by His Excellency Ambassador of Palestine to Greece, Yousif Darkham, and a group of representatives of Greek local authorities.
APLA's President, Al-Zubeidi, expressed his pride in signing the MoU, is it does not only enhance friendship connections between the two countries, but also enhances the adherence to shared values and joint cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development. "We are full of faith and hope that this MoU will pave the road for strong and direct partnerships between Palestinian and Greek municipalities, to exchange expertise, and learn from experiences, while working towards building the future. We also see this MoU as an additional opportunity for all of us to deepen partnerships between the Palestinian and Greek peoples, towards further Greek political support of our Palestinian rights", said Al-Zubeidi.
In return, the President of the Greek Association of Local Authorities, Papastergiou, noted that local authorities open horizons and unify goals, and this MoU is to open an additional road towards Palestine, emphasizing the importance of executing the articles of the MoU in order to enable local authorities of both countries to enter twinning relationships and direct partnerships. Moreover, we must utilize this opportunity to exchange expertise and learn from the successes and capacities of both sides.
As per this MoU, both associations shall work in order to enhance and develop partnership between Palestinian and Greek local authorities in the fields of economy, culture, education, sports, local entrepreneurship, and development cooperation. Moreover, enhancing, organizing and operating municipal services, protection of the environment, adaptation to climate change, urban development, energy management, and organizing local transport, among other fields that concern local authorities from both countries. Furthermore, this MoU provides both sides with the opportunity to benefit from the national and international aid programs to develop bilateral cooperation at both local and regional levels. In addition, it commits to encouraging mechanisms of support to develop bilateral partnerships and enhance cooperation between local authorities and NGOs active in affairs of local autonomy. The aim is to enhance the exchange of experiences and expertise among local authorities and to facilitate establishing partnerships in addition to organizing bilateral forums for local authorities, bringing together the elected municipal representatives, employees and the experts in order to create effective forms of cooperation concerning the issues of local autonomy.
Additionally, APLA's delegation visited the Palestinian Embassy to Greece, to meet His Excellency, Mr. Darkham, to discuss the next steps following the signing of this MoU, in addition to discussing practical steps for empowering Palestinian local authorities to enter twinning relationships with their Greek counterparts.
