President Mahmoud Abbas meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide in Ramallah. (WAFA photos/Usama Falah) 

RAMALLAH, January 9, 2018 (WAFA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide during their meeting in Ramallah on Monday that the United States has lost its mediation rights after it recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling instead for a bigger  European role in the Middle East peace process.

Abbas briefed Eriksen Søreide on the latest political developments in the Palestinian territories following the US decision on Jerusalem.

He pointed to the danger of the decision made by the US, saying that it stripped it of its mediation role in the political process.  He stressed on the big role Europe can play due to its political and economic weight in the region and the world.

Abbas praised Norway’s role in coordinating the efforts of donor countries to support the Palestinians and the economic support it offers to establish Palestinian institutions, praising its vote in favor of the resolution on Jerusalem at the UN General Assembly.

Eriksen Søreide said that her meeting with Abbas was important and positive, affirming her country’s complete support for the two-state solution.

The US decision on Jerusalem no doubt caused a problem in the political process, she said, adding that she will be heading to the Washington on Tuesday to meet US officials and that she will discuss this matter with them.

K.T./M.K.