CAIRO, December 21, 2016 (WAFA) - Arab and European foreign ministers stressed on Tuesday the realization of a two-state solution is the only way to achieve an enduring peace in the Middle East.
The remarks came in a declaration adopted by the ministers after the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of League of Arab States-European Union (EU) which was held at the League‘s headquarters in Egypt‘s capital Cairo.
According to the declaration, the ministers reaffirmed the need for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
"The realization of two-state solution is the only way to achieve an enduring peace and to that end the international community should work with all relevant stakeholders to end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and resolve all permanent status issues," the declaration read.
The ministers also welcomed the Joint Communiqué adopted at the ministerial meeting in Paris on June 3, where participants discussed possible ways in which the international community could help advance the prospects for peace and welcomed the convening of an International National Peace Conference soon.
Meanwhile, the diplomats reaffirmed their shared position that Israeli settlement policies, including in occupied East Jerusalem, constitute an obstacle to peace and endanger the viability of the two-state solution.
In view of this, the ministers strongly opposed Israeli plans to construct and expand settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, and urged Israel not to adopt legislation which would allow for the "legalization" of outposts and settlements in the West Bank by confiscating private Palestinian property rights, which could have far-reaching consequences.
The ministers also called for the release of prisoners in accordance with previous agreements and end to excessive use of administrative detention in contravention of international law.
They also applauded the Palestinian efforts exerted to build and strengthen state institutions as well as the commitment of Palestine to uphold democratic principles and human rights, which is represented in its accession to international treaties and conventions.
During the one-day meeting, the foreign ministers focused on issues of common concern such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, fighting terrorism, security, illegal immigration, economy as well as strategic cooperation in all fields.
The meeting also tackled the developments in war-torn Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya.
Earlier in the day, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is still on the top of the EU agenda.
"We need to join efforts in trying to facilitate a solution to this old relevant and not impossible to solve conflict," the European top official told the ministers during the meeting.
For his part, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki urged European countries which have not officially recognized the State of Palestine to acknowledge Palestine as an independent state.
Speaking to the closed ministerial meeting, Malki, who chaired the Palestinian delegation, called on the EU and Arab countries to work jointly in order to start official discussions for a comprehensive partnership agreement between Palestine and the EU that will enhance Palestine‘s legal status.
A.D./M.K.
