Spindelegger in Ramallah: No alternative to a two-state solution
Foreign Minister has talks with Palestinian leadership
Ramallah, 17 February 2010 – During his visit in Ramallah, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger reaffirmed Austria’s position that there is no alternative to an Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution. "Austria supports the legitimate ambition for an independent, viable Palestinian state living in peace with Israel", he said on Tuesday after his meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. A work meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was also planned for later.
Spindelegger and his discussion partners agreed that the Middle East process was in a „sensitive phase“ and that the current stalemate must be overcome immediately. The issues discussed also included Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank and the need for reconciliation between the Fatah party and the Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians would like to see greater involvement by the European Union in the imminent proximity talks, i.e. direct negotiations under American mediation, especially since Abbas currently cannot agree to any direct talks with the Israelis, as long as the Palestinian condition for a complete construction halt in the settlements has not been met. The Palestinians are referring to a decision of the EU Foreign Ministers in late December, in which all problems have been identified. Israel had rejected the EU decision because it would anticipate the negotiation results.
The Palestinian side emphasized the positive role played by Vienna. Foreign Minister Malki addressed his Austrian colleague about the creation of a scholarship programme for the Diplomatic Academy. Spindelegger promised to accord sympathetic consideration to the idea. Similarly, the Palestinians wish for an upgrade of their official PLO Mission in Vienna currently consisting of only two employees, the chief of which has been entitled to the title of ambassador since 1988. The Palestinian Liberation Organization was already able to open a representation in Vienna in 1977 upon the initiative of Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky. Austria had established a representation with the Palestinian Authority in 1998.
Ramallah was the first station on Spindelegger’s six-day visit to the Middle East, and he will be visiting the Ayda refugee camp in Bethlehem on Tuesday. In the evening, he will be meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Jerusalem. After Israel, the Federal Minister will be visiting Lebanon and Syria.
Contact:
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