CAIRO, April 22, 2026 (WAFA) – Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Wednesday praised European positions supporting the two-state solution, including the recognition by several European countries of the State of Palestine, describing it as a step in the right direction toward translating international commitments into reality.
This came during his meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, as part of the Finnish president’s official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Following the meeting, Stubb delivered a speech before the permanent representatives to the Arab League.
The meeting discussed Arab-Finnish relations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields, in addition to recent regional and international developments, particularly the Palestinian cause and the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza and the West Bank.
Aboul Gheit expressed appreciation for Finland’s principled positions on the Palestinian cause and its support for a just political solution based on international legitimacy, stressing the Arab League’s keenness to strengthen cooperation and consultation with the Finnish side in support of security, stability, and peace.
He reaffirmed the Arab stance that a just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved through ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
For his part, the Finnish president expressed his country’s deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, reaffirming Finland’s support for de-escalation efforts and the two-state solution as the only path toward a just and lasting peace.
He also affirmed during the meeting Finland’s keenness to further develop its relations with Arab countries and with the League of Arab States as the region’s umbrella organization, praising the pivotal role it plays in addressing regional issues and promoting political solutions to crises in the region.
In the same context, Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Arab League, Ambassador Muhannad Al-Aklouk, expressed appreciation for Finland’s positions that align with international law, particularly on the Palestinian cause, and for international efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian Territory and its capital, Jerusalem.
Addressing President Alexander Stubb, the Palestinian ambassador said that Finland has adopted supportive positions towards Palestine, including backing the review of the European Union–Israel Association Agreement, and supporting the imposition of sanctions on Israeli colonists who commit acts of terrorism against the Palestinian people.
He also noted Finland’s participation in the two-state solution conference held in New York last year and its support for its declaration and outcomes, in addition to Finland’s financial support for development in Palestine, as well as its regular funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Ambassador Al-Aklouk, speaking on behalf of 22 Arab countries, called on friendly Finland to complete its principled positions consistent with international law by recognizing the State of Palestine as an inalienable right of the Palestinian people and as a catalyst for peace in the region and the world.
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