BERLIN, January 19, 2012 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas, in a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, praised the significant and ongoing development in the Palestinian-German bilateral relations.
Abbas pointed that Germany was the forerunner to form a joint ministerial steering committee with Palestine as an indicator of Germany’s commitment in supporting and building the institutions of an independent Palestinian state.
“We briefed Merkel on the latest development of the meetings between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators in Jordon as part of the attempts to revive the peace process…We stressed our commitment to negotiate seriously based on clear terms of reference of the peace process in accordance with the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the international Quartet’s latest statement issued on September 23 2011,” said Abbas.
Abbas said: “Germany’s fingerprints are now on all the Palestinian land. As for the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state or not, we understand the conditions of Germany and respect its opinion.”
“The fact that Germany is a friend of Israel, does not bother us, because Germany is a friend of us too, and so Germany can play an important role in the peace process, because peace is important for Israel, and important for the Palestinians, important for the region and for the whole world. From this perspective I expect that Germany, as a friend of all parties, can play the required role.”
He stressed that the Israeli measures, if continued, will destroy what is left of the peace process, particularly the escalation of settlement activities in occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in East Jerusalem, in addition to settlers’ attacks on Palestinians and their properties and the burning of mosques.
He expressed his appreciation for the German government’s support of stability and security in the region, building the institutions of the Palestinian state and for all its financial and political support in order to achieve peace in the region.
On her part, Merekl said: “Abbas has the supreme hand in foreign policy, negotiations and peace process; he is the legitimate person or legitimate representative who speaks with the Israeli side.”
She added that the problem is 'we must find a way to start the negotiations. Our progress with regard to talking about the security and borders issues comes in the first place, it is very important that we make progress in these issues and that each side sees the goodwill existing; this applies to both the Palestinians and the Israelis.” “I think from this perspective that we must make efforts to make use of this window of time and continue to make it possible.”
She said that the “German side will now, after the talks of course, coordinate with the European Union, Britain and France, to talk again with the Israeli side, and we don’t have to do this openly to the public.”
