BOGOTA, October 11, 2011 (WAFA) – Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that he is willing to resume the negotiations with the Israeli government based on the terms of reference of the peace process and halting settlement activities, which are stated in the road map.

In a press conference following his meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, at Nariño palace, Abbas said, “We have relations with more than 128 countries. We are committed to human rights, international law, democracy and transparency.'

“We wish that the Colombian efforts would allow us to directly go back to the negotiations table with Israel based on two principles; terms of reference of the peace process and halting settlement activities, which are stated in the road map,” he said.

 Abbas indicated that the Palestinian bid to UN doesn’t isolate Israel; on the contrary it is a way to coexist and make peace with them.

He also appreciated the Colombian efforts to re-launch the peace process, hoping these efforts succeed to resume negotiations.

On his part, the Colombian president reaffirmed Abbas’ petition to seek Colombia’s intervention to sit back on the negotiations table as soon as possible.

“This is the ideal, according to the quartet petition. Colombia, with pleasure will do all what is in its hands to achieve this in the shortest time possible. If the two parties (Palestinian and Israeli) accept the negotiations according to the road map, it will have good outcomes in favor of the Palestinian people,” Santos said.

He stressed that Colombia believes in peace and it hopes to be able to help the Palestinians to establish a state based on peace.

M.G. /F.R.