Ramallah: President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and her delegation at the Presidential Palace in Ramallah. The meeting, which took place on Monday evening, focused on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and the role of the international community in mediating peace.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, President Abbas began the meeting by congratulating Kallas on her new role as the EU High Representative. He expressed his hope for her success in advancing international efforts towards a lasting peace in the region. President Abbas highlighted the EU's support for a two-state solution, the Palestinian Authority's responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, and the EU's backing of Palestinian government reforms, UNRWA, and Gaza's reconstruction plan.
President Abbas called on the international community to pressure Israel to stop its military actions in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized the urgency of a sustainable ceasefire and the need to open crossings for humanitarian aid. Abbas underscored the importance of enabling the State of Palestine to assume full responsibilities in Gaza as a precursor to reconstruction efforts supported by friendly nations and international partners.
The President also addressed the issue of Israeli military actions in the West Bank, calling for an end to attacks on Palestinian cities, villages, and camps. He criticized the expansion of illegal settlements and the withholding of Palestinian tax funds, urging international intervention to halt these practices.
President Abbas commended the EU's significant support for Palestinian state-building efforts and government programs. He stressed the necessity of pursuing a political process grounded in the two-state solution and advocated for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations, as well as European recognition of Palestine based on the 1967 borders.
