IOC holds joint meeting with Israel and Palestine

Oct 28, 2011, 13:59 GMT

Lausanne, Switzerland - The National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of Palestine and Israel on Friday agreed to continue to work together on joint, sport-related activities.

In a statement issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the organization said they held a joint meeting with the NOCs in Ramallah on Friday.

The meeting in the Palestinian city was the third joint meeting between the bodies.

In a statement the IOC said the aim of Friday's meeting was to review the progress made thus far and to consider future steps.

'With respect to the issue of the free movement of Palestinian athletes, coaches, officials and sports equipment inside and outside the Palestinian territories, as well as of visiting foreign sports delegations, including athletes, all parties recognised the significant and concrete results achieved so far thanks in part to the 'hotline' set up between the two NOCs.'

The IOC said the hotline was agreed to at the last meeting and would be formalized.

'On the subjects of cooperation and sports development, both NOCs agreed to continue to work together on joint, sport-related activities in a number of practical areas, including sport sciences, coaching and the preparation of athletes.' the statement said.

'The parties also discussed the IOC-supported plan for the development of sport in the Palestinian territories, for which initial funding was provided by the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

'In addition, the IOC and Olympic Solidarity continue to provide the best possible assistance to the NOC of Palestine, in particular for the preparation of athletes aiming to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games,' the IOC said.

The next joint meeting between the bodies will take place in Tel Aviv, the IOC said.

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