RAMALLAH, March 3, 2016 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday said Palestinians’ hands are extended for a just peace and they reject violence and extremism.  

Abbas said in a joint press conference with the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at the presidential headquarters in the city of Ramallah, that the current situation cannot continue, and that the achievement of peace and security require decisive decisions from the Israeli government.

These include an immediate freeze of settlement construction, end to settlers’ aggressive acts, and respect of Palestinians’ authority over their territories in accordance with signed agreements.  

Abbas once again welcomed the French initiative to convene an international peace conference, form an international support group and create an effective and assorted mechanism to work on implementing the two-state solution, according to international law and the Arab peace initiative.

He praised the European Union’s stance regarding Israeli settlement activities and products and valued EU’s role in supporting peace and providing financial support in state-building to achieve peace and stability in the region.

On the other hand, Iohannis reiterated Romania’s interest in joint cooperation with Palestine in different fields and commended the close ties between the two countries.

He said Romania is currently implanting workshops for Palestinian diplomats and vowed to continue offering 30 scholarships for Palestinian students to study Medicine in Romania.

“I conducted an in-depth discussion with President Mahmoud Abbas and I believe the most important issue is restoring trust between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. We believe solutions could only be reached through negotiations.”

M.H