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Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini following her meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas

11.02.2015
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The visit of President Mahmoud Abbas was an opportunity for President Jean-Claude Juncker and myself to re-state EU's support for a two-state solution with an independent, democratic, viable State of Palestine living side-by-side with Israel and its other neighbours in peace and security.

For this to happen, direct negotiations should start again and the EU is willing to play an active role in the resumption of negotiations on the Middle East Peace Process as soon as possible. I committed to this by convening the Quartet Principals' meeting in Munich on 8 February.

In the immediate term it is absolutely vital to address the critical financial situation of the Palestinian Authority. In this regard, Israel should resume the transfer of Palestinian Authority revenues in line with its obligations.

Today's meeting was also an opportunity to follow-up on the issues discussed during my visit to the region in early November, my first trip outside Europe after taking up office. We discussed the importance of the process of intra-Palestinian reconciliation, with the aim of resuming governmental control in Gaza.

The EU stands by the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority as the cornerstone of a future Palestinian state and a key party to the Middle East Peace Process.

Category
Statements by the HR/VP
Location

Bruxelles

Topics
Middle East Peace Process
Editorial sections
EEAS
Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
Israel
Palestine (*) - Occupied Palestinian Territory, West Bank and Gaza Strip
Middle East Peace Process