Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, Jose Manuel Albares, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) attend a press conference at the Union for the Mediterranean summit, in Barcelona, Spain, November 27, 2023. REUTERS/Albert Gea
At a meeting in Spain on Monday, Arab states and the European Union collectively affirmed their support for a two-state solution as the resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell emphasized the need for the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza, currently under the control of Hamas. Borrell stressed the urgency of Palestinian Authority elections to enhance legitimacy and functionality, describing it as the “only viable solution” to Gaza’s future leadership. The international community’s backing is crucial for the success of this approach, preventing a potential power vacuum conducive to the rise of violent organizations, Borrell noted.
The meeting in Barcelona, attended by EU members and representatives from Mediterranean nations, reached a consensus on the significance of a two-state solution. The truce between Israeli and Hamas forces, initially set for four days, was extended by two days, according to Qatar, marking the first pause in the seven-week conflict initiated by Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi advocated considering the West Bank and Gaza as one entity, with the Palestinian people determining their governance. The two-state solution envisions a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki asserted that the Palestinian Authority, despite losing control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, had a continuous presence with 60,000 public workers in the territory. The statements were made at the conclusion of the Forum for the Union of the Mediterranean in Barcelona, where representatives from 43 European, North African, and Middle Eastern countries gathered. Israel did not participate in the summit.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, representing a group of ministers from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, emphasized the immediate need for a ceasefire and building upon the existing truce.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the deep divisions, expressing Germany’s commitment to engaging in dialogue despite the absence of Israel from the summit due to concerns over perceived “one-sided hostility.” Baerbock underscored the importance of open communication to address growing rifts among the participating nations.
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