RAMALLAH, February 2, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas received the Hungarian Foreign Minister Kinga Goncz in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

President Abbas briefed Goncz on the latest developments in the as well as the efforts made to form a national unity government which is able to lift the siege imposed on the Palestinian people.

Following the meeting, Dr. Saeb Erickat, Head of the PLO Negotiation Affairs, told reporters during a joint press conference with Goncz, that President Abbas also briefed the Hungarian FM on the clashes in Gaza Strip.

He added that President Abbas also called on the EU and the Quartet to work for pushing the peace process forward to alleviate the situation in the Palestinian territory.

Erickat said that President Abbas informed Goncz of the Israeli unilateral measures, adding that President Abbas handed the visiting FM a file includes maps and documents on the Apartheid Wall, calling upon the Quartet to halt the construction of the Wall.

For her part, Goncz stressed on the Palestinian-Hungary ties, adding "in the EU and the Quartet, we want a peace vision to achieve a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel."

A.D (16:35 P) (14:35GMT)