RAMALLAH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli measures of collecting Palestinian taxes and customs restrict the Palestinian government's ability to control 60 percent of its public revenues, Palestinian Finance Minister Shukri Bishara said Thursday.

He made the remarks in a press statement issued after he met in the West Bank city of Ramallah with British Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss.

"Israel keeps its control over the borders, crossing points, and areas under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank," Bishara said, adding that these measures limit the Palestinian government's ability to spend its revenues and make investments.

He also said that the lack of freedom of movement due to Israeli restrictions also hinders the Palestinian trade.

Bishara accused Israel of obstructing the Palestinian government's efforts to clear customs within the Palestinian territories and direct trade through the borders with Jordan.

Truss confirmed during the meeting that the United Kingdom will support the Palestinian side in its legitimate demands, Bishara said in the statement.

The British official called for moving forward "to find solutions with Israel that would improve financial and economic conditions in the Palestinian territories," the statement added.

Also on Thursday, Truss met in Ramallah with Palestinian Minister of Economy Khaled al-Osaily, during which the two sides agreed to launch the work of the Palestinian-British joint committee, reported the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

The report added that the aim of forming the joint committee "is to develop and strengthen economic and trade cooperation relations in various fields between Palestine and Britain." Enditem

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