Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Norwegian counterpart Borge Brende the importance of providing the finances needed for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a phone conversation, Shoukry voiced Egypt's concern about the failure of UNRWA to maintain operations in the occupied Palestinian territories and nearby countries, in support of Palestinian refugees, especially that its budget deficit reached dlrs 400 million.

According to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, the contact came as part of Egyptian moves to implement recommendations of the recent ministerial meeting of the Arab peace initiative committee.

It also came in response to a request by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his meeting with the Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo last week, Abu Zeid concluded.