RAMALLAH, Tuesday, May 21, 2019 (WAFA) - Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met separately with Consulate General of Belgium in Jerusalem, Danielle Haven, and head of the representative office of Malta, Reuben Gauci, at his office in Ramallah, where they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and the region and ways to enhance joint cooperation.

Haven handed Shtayyeh a letter from his Belgium counterpart, in which he congratulated Shtayyeh on his assumption of the office of prime minister as well as reiterated his country’s commitment to contribute to a comprehensive solution to the conflict based on international law and internationally-agreed principles, in the light of United Nations Security Council resolutions that will lead to an independent sovereign, democratic, and viable state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.

The letter affirmed that Belgium will support this objective within the European Union and as a member of the Security Council, and will continue to pay special attention to the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with human rights and international humanitarian law."

Shtayyeh briefed Haven on the latest political developments, calling on Belgium to pressure Israel to stop Palestinian tax deductions and to release them in full, as well as to find a proper mechanism to check the financial issues with Israel to stop its money stealing policy.

Shtayyeh also met with head of the representative office of Malta, Reuben Gauci, and discussed the latest political and economic developments, and means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries and pushing forward bilateral relations in many sectors.

T.R.