BRUSSELS, December 14, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that the key to good politics and relations in the Middle East is achiving peace between Palestine and Israel, after that comes the relationship between Israel and all the Arab and Islamic countries in accordance with the road map.

In a joint press conference with the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, after their meeting in Brussels, Abbas said “yesterday we raised the Palestinian flag at UNESCO, and I hope that in the future we will raise the Palestinian flag at the UN as a Palestinian state with the support of the EU.”

He stressed that EU’s support to the Palestinian Authority is requited and had a basic effect in building the Palestinian institutions, “We appreciate this long term support, and hope it will continue until the completion of the construction of the Palestinian institutions, in preparation for the declaration of the Palestinian state,” Abbas said.

Abbas pointed out that he discussed with Rompuy the peace process in the Middle East and the efforts made by the international quartet committee in this issue.

He explained to Rompuy the path of the Palestinian reconciliation process and the hopes built on it, “We are very interested in reaching a Palestinian reconciliation between Hamas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization to bring back the national unity.”

He pointed out that he informed Rompuy on the results of his last meeting with Hamas, in Cairo.

He said that they discussed the Arab spring and what is occurring in the Arab countries.

On his part, Rompuy said, regarding the peace process in the Middle East, “I emphasize that the European Union remains committed to the two-state solution.”

He added, “We will continue to expect that any future Palestinian government adhere to the principles to which Abbas has committed.”

Rompuy said that “Abbas informed me of the current developments in the Palestinians request for membership in the United Nations.”

He concluded by expressing hope that “the Arab spring  will have a positive effect on the Middle East peace process.”

M.G. /F.R.