Foreign Minister participates in Arab-European ministerial meeting on two-state solution

Brussels, May 27 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the ministerial meeting regarding efforts to achieve a two state solution. The meeting was held in Belgium at the invitation of Saudi Arabia and Norway, in collaboration with the European Union (EU).

The meeting was co-chaired by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, and Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

Ministers and representatives from Arab, Islamic and European countries; Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, participated in the meeting.

In his speech at the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised that achieving a two-state solution necessitates joint efforts to support the Bahrain summit's proposal for an international peace conference. This conference aims to bring together all stakeholders to develop a feasible plan that addresses the legitimate rights and security concerns of both Palestinians and Israelis

He called for formulating a realistic post-war vision for Gaza, which should encompass reconstruction, governance, security of all people in the region, and progress towards a permanent and comprehensive solution for the conflict.

The minister emphasised the significance of collaborating with key international actors to participate in the peace conference and support the two-state solution. He noted that the recent recognition of the Palestinian state by Ireland, Norway, and Spain will bolster international support for an independent Palestinian state that coexists peacefully with Israel, thereby paving the way for a more stable and secure future for all parties involved.

Al Zayani urged all nations, including the 143 countries backing Palestine's full UN membership, to publicly reassert their recognition of an independent Palestinian state. He said this would send a strong message of consensus on the two-state solution to the international community, and of commitment to a future of peace and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Officials and representatives at the meeting exchanged views regarding the means to achieve the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, as well as developments of the war in the Gaza Strip and its repercussions on regional security and stability, international security and peace. They also reviewed regional and international efforts aimed at ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and supporting efforts to bring peace to the region.