RAMALLAH, July 25, 2025 (WAFA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, discussed the latest political and humanitarian developments in the occupied Palestinian Territory with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
During a telephone call on Friday, the two ministers also discussed ways to enhance international efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
Minister Shahin highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, stressing the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid. She underscored the importance of ending the use of starvation as a weapon of war prohibited under international law.
Shahin called on her Canadian counterpart to recognize the State of Palestine, describing it as a crucial step toward preserving the two-state solution and preventing its further erosion in light of Israel’s ongoing unilateral actions.
She also stressed the need for Canada to intervene and pressure Israel to release the withheld Palestinian clearance revenues, warning that the continued withholding of these funds has led to a severe financial crisis for the Palestinian Authority, threatening its ability to provide essential services to the Palestinian people, which could have grave consequences for the region’s future.
Shahin further emphasized the need to put an end to colonists’ ongoing violence and terror acts against the Palestinian people, stressing the urgency of creating a credible and conducive political environment for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state living in peace, security, and stability.
For her part, Foreign Minister Anand affirmed her intention to lead Canada’s delegation to the upcoming International Peace Conference, underscoring the importance of ensuring its success and taking concrete steps toward the implementation of the two-state solution.
Both ministers agreed to hold a bilateral meeting next week in New York, on the sidelines of the International Peace Conference, to continue their discussions and strengthen coordination between the two countries.
T.R.
