Khaled Osaily. خالد العسيلي رئيس بلدية الخيل السابق خالد العسيلي
An agreement was signed between Hebron and Genoa municipalities for a new water-sector project aimed at improvingHebron’s water situation, developing its water networks and enhancing the quality of services provided to inhabitants. The agreement was reached at a meeting between Hebron Mayor KhaledOsaily, Paolo Ricci, official spokesperson for the Italian Local Authorities and Antonio Laroka, Director of the Palestinian Municipalities’ Support Project. The meeting, held at HebronMunicipality, was also attended by EngineerWaleed Al Halayka, Director General of the Joint Councils Department at the Ministry of Local Government and Engineer Yasser Al Dweik, Executive Director of the Solid Waste Service Council in the Southern West Bank.
At the beginning of the meeting, Osaily welcomed participants and thanked the Italian people and government for their support to Palestinians in general and to Hebron in particular, highlighting the Remote Control System for the Hebron Water Network which was implemented with Italian support and which constitutes a true example of model cooperation.
“We look forward to further our cooperation with Italian Municipalities with which we have twinning agreements and enjoy unique partnerships which have led to effective cooperation and achievements. This could not have been done without the solidarity of the Italian people, their support of Palestinian rights and their desire to improve the life of Palestinians and to alleviate their suffering”, he said.
Osaily also spoke about the Solid Waste Management Project in Hebron and Bethlehem Governoratesimplemented through the Higher Joint Council. “This is a qualitative partnership between local councils in Hebron and Bethlehem Governorates. Otherenvironmental joint projects shall be executed with Genoa Municipality through the Higher Joint Services Council for the Treatment of Solid Waste”, he added.
The meeting also discussed a number of technical aspects aimed at finalizing proposals to be submitted to the Higher Steering Committee at the Ministry of Local Government for adoption.At the end of the visit, Osaily offered his guests the “Al Ibrahimi Mosque Shield” in honor of their support to Palestinians in general and to Hebronites in particular. The delegation then visited a number of projects supported by the Italian government and people in the city.
On another level, Osaily also received at the Municipality Mr. Sang Bark Bak, newly appointed Representative of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) who was accompanied by the Agency’s outgoing representative. Osaily welcomed his Korean guests and thanked them forKOICA and the Korean Government’ssupport to Palestinians. He touched on various projects implemented by Hebron Municipality to develop cultural, youth and sports sectors in the city, in line with the Municipality’s Strategy aimed at supporting vital sectors. He also spoke about the daily obstacles faced by Hebronites due to occupation and settler activities which render normal life impossible, as well as about attacks on the Old City and Al Ibrahimi Mosque.
Osaily praised efforts by Mr. Kim, KOICA’s outgoing representative. He lauded the exceptional ties between him and Hebron Municipality, wishing him all success in the future. “KOICA’s efforts were crowned by the KOREAN project in the city”, Osaily said.
Mr. Kim, KOICA’s outgoing representative, thanked Osaily and Hebron Municipality for their exceptional cooperation, hosting KOICA on numerous occasions as well as for services rendered in Hebron. He lauded efforts by Osaily who ensured, ever since he took office, that the city develops in the best manner possible.
Mr. Bak said cooperation shall continue between KOICA and the Municipality in the future because ties between his Agency and Hebron are unique in Palestine. “These ties were crowned by the Korean project which comprises a school and a multi-purpose youth center built on 13 dunums donated by the Municipality which shall be inaugurated in the Summer of 2011”, he said.
According to Osaily, Hebron is in need of many other similar projects and facilities which promote cultural exchange and the sharing of experiences among youths and which help safeguard Palestine’s heritage. “Hebron Municipality is ready to continue cooperating towards creating such facilities which benefit the city”, he added.
The guests then toured the Korean project and expressed their satisfaction at the great work and relentless efforts made by Hebron Municipality to finalize it so that it becomes a unique Korean monument in Palestine.
