The four-day conference was hosted by The Policy and Conflicts Resolution Studies Center (PCRSC) of the Arab American University in Jenin. Opening remarks were held by Mr. Nikolai Mladenov (UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process) and Dr. Mohamed Shtayeh (member of the Fatah Central Committee).

Frings presented his paper "European Union and regional alliances" in the framework of the panel "Palestinians between Local, Regional and International". He pointed out that the EU, while being preoccupied with domestic issues, still puts a policy priority on the situation in the Middle East. Despite an ambivalent relationship with the Palestinian territories, the EU is committed to the region, as expressed in its continued support to UN Resolution 181.

Other experts at the session were Alain Gresh (Al Sharq 21 Online Journal for Middle East Affairs), Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi (Palestinian National Initiative), Dr. Ibrahim Abrash (Al-Azhar University Gaza) and Partner of KAS Dr. Khalil Shikaki from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR).