Tony Blair has spoken of the “huge opportunity” for progress offered by the forthcoming Paris donors' conference for Palestinians.

Mr Blair is to be one of four chairman for a major donors’ conference for the Palestinian Territories in Paris next month.

The conference, to be held at the request of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, aims to mobilize donors to provide political and financial support to the Palestinian Authority and will follow a separate peace conference in the United States.

Mr Blair will chair the conference along with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Speaking in Annapolis, USA where he has been taking part in Middle East peace talks (pictured), Mr Blair said:

"There is now a huge opportunity."

"There will be serious political negotiations to resolve all the core issues necessary for a two State solution."

"But the politics will only work if the reality of what is happening on the ground supports the political process."

"That is why Annapolis is crucial, but Paris is also every bit as important."

"At Paris, we must agree a comprehensive Palestinian Reform and Development Plan, covering all aspects of the creation of a Palestinian State."

"A state is not just about territory. It is also about the nature of the state - its governance, its capability, its capacity to make peace and be a secure and prosperous partner."

"And it must be a unified state of Gaza and the West Bank."

"That is why Paris matters."

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Blair to joint chair donors' conference

Picture copyright: Reuters