The Aix Group is a unique working group that researches, produces and disseminates position papers which seek to identify economic scenarios and propose economic recommendations, in order to promote win-win outcomes for Palestinians and Israelis. The Aix Group was formed in 2002 under the auspices of the Université Paul Cézanne-Aix-Marseille III in France, and in coordination with the Peres Center for Peace in Israel and DATA Center for Studies and Research in the Palestinian Authority.
The group is comprised of Israeli, Palestinian and International economic experts, academics, members of economic organizations, and officials from international institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, who participate in the Aix Group in their personal capacities.
Further members include representatives from various institutions and organizations including: the Palestinian Negotiations Support Unit (NSU), the Palestine Trade Center (PalTrade), the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, the National Security Council (NSC), the Bank of Israel, the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, the World Bank, the IMF, the American Consulate in Jerusalem, the European Union, the French Finance Ministry, and more.
Additional Israeli and Palestinian participants include: the Director of Foreign Trade and International Relations Division of the Manufacturer's Association of Israel, the Rector of Ben-Gurion University, Economics Professors from several universities including Bir Zeit University, the Director General of the Peres Center for Peace, and Senior Economic Advisors.
The Aix Group completed their third stage of research, during which members investigated issues that will play an instrumental role in the final status negotiations, and in particular, examined their short and long term economic implications. Upon completion of the research, the Aix Group held a Final Conference in Paris.
The present research follows two earlier stages of research.
The first stage of research focused on economic arrangements associated with Phase III of the Quartet-sponsored Road Map for Peace, with the final product being a position paper entitled the "
Economic Road Map".
The second stage of research addressed the risks and opportunities associated with the unilateral Israeli disengagement from Gaza, and their effect on the recovery of the Palestinian economy. A position paper was published, entitled "Between Disengagement and the Economic Road Map".
