Mideast envoy Tony Blair calls for more action to improve Palestinian economy

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-05-2008 10:47

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who's now a Middle East envoy is calling for more action to improve the Palestinian economy.

Middle East Quartet envoy and former  British Prime Minister Tony Blair  during press conference in An Najah  University in the West Bank city of  Nablus, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.  For the past year as international  Mideast envoy, Blair has been trying  to boost the Palestinian economy. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)

Blair visited a Palestinian factory on Thursday and was told it runs at a third of its capacity because of Israeli import restrictions.

Blair promised he would address the issue with Israeli authorities, as part of his year-long push to boost the West Bank economy. Blair said he'd like to see much quicker progress towards freedom of movement for Palestinians.

The Mideast envoy also said, after years of downward spiral, the Palestinian economy is starting to come back, but not nearly fast enough.

Blair said, "The absolute key to making progress is for everyone to accept.........a genuine security problem."

Editor:Du Xiaodan