United Nations Radio

The Israeli and Palestinian postal authorities have agreed to start direct mail exchanges between Palestinian Authority and the 191 member countries of the UN Universal Postal Union, the UPU.

The agreement follows discussions at UPU's 24th Postal Congress in Geneva aimed at improving the operations and quality of the Palestinian Authority's postal services. Both parties pledged to start facilitating direct exchanges between the Palestinian Authority and UPU members effective immediately.

UPU Director General Edouard Dayan said the solutions envisaged by the agency will enable the Palestinian postal services to launch direct mail exchanges, and will establish the rights and duties associated with terminal dues, the compensation countries receive for handling international mail arriving from other countries.

The Universal Postal Union, based in Switzerland, is the primary forum for cooperation among the world's postal services.

Gerry Adams, United Nations Radio.

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