JERUSALEM, July 28, 2010(WAFA) - 'I miss my friend, the late President Yasser Arafat in this day', said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos at a ceremony of receiving an honorable doctorate from  Al-Quds  University.

In interview with WAFA he said this award culminated many years of working for peace and for the right of the Palestinians, saying that “I miss Yasser Arafat during the ceremony today, and that I remembered all the dramatic moments, and difficult situations we experienced with the Palestinian leadership and the PLO, particularly with Yasser Arafat, since we met in Tunisia we worked hand by hand.”

He added “I am honored to receive today this most valuable degree from Al- Quds University, it’s a grateful feeling.”

He said “I know that the Palestinian leadership will have a hard decision about negotiations so it must make further efforts with regard to national unity, and reconciliation, by unity you can present your cause very well, and be ready for that hard step.”

“Serious negotiations must start now. I call on all leaders to support the relaunching of direct negotiations between the parties. International community must do the utmost to create the best possible atmosphere for the talks, Obama’s administration is very much engaged to peace they are doing great efforts,” Moratinos concluded.