Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi participated in the ministerial meeting of the International Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its capacity as Chair of the Arab-Islamic Committee on Gaza, in cooperation with Norway and the European Union, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
اضافة اعلان
Safadi stressed that the two-state solution is the only path to achieving a just peace that meets the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and statehood on their national soil, in accordance with international legitimacy, while ensuring security and stability for all in the region, including Israel.
Safadi said: “Everyone now agrees that the two-state solution is the only path toward the secure future we want, but we all know that we are facing an extremist Israeli government that does not want this peace.”
He noted that the Israeli Prime Minister has openly declared that he will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state, asking: “How do we now confront this Israeli obstinacy that deprives the entire region of its right to live in peace and security?” He added: “Netanyahu wants to ignite the region, while we want to protect it and provide just peace for all peoples of the region.”
Safadi raised questions regarding the undermining of the two-state solution, saying: “The question remains: what will we do? What will the international community do about the new settlements announced by Netanyahu that pose a serious threat to the two-state solution? What will the international community do if Netanyahu proceeds with annexing the West Bank as he threatens? What will the international community do if Netanyahu persists in rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state and the achievement of just peace?”
He continued: “It is time to move from words to action. We must all take deterrent measures to curb Israeli aggressiveness and enable us all in the region to move toward just and lasting peace. I believe what is required now is clarity: the party that deprives the region of its right to peace must face deterrent measures.”
Safadi pointed out that Israel is depriving the region of peace, saying: “This Israeli government is pushing the entire region toward the abyss. Therefore, we must all move toward a package of deterrent measures that protect us all from this danger.”
He affirmed that if deterrent measures are not taken against this Israeli government, “the chances of implementing the two-state solution will become even slimmer than they are now, because this extremist government continues to take every measure that undermines the two-state solution and the region’s right to live in peace.”
He concluded his remarks by saying: “We must begin now to think of the practical deterrent steps we, as an international community that believes peace can only be achieved through the two-state solution, will take to protect that solution. If now is not the time to implement it because of the arrogance of this Israeli government, then now is the time to protect it. This is possible if we work together and take the measures that will deter this government.”
In addition, Safadi held bilateral talks with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation Hadja Lahbib; Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Defense Simon Harris; Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani; Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita; Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braža; Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Radman; and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel. The talks covered ways to strengthen bilateral relations and coordinate positions on regional developments.
During his meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, Safadi signed a memorandum of understanding to establish political consultations between the two ministries of foreign affairs.
He also signed, along with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, an agreement between the two governments on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Safadi further met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and discussed existing cooperation on the Syrian refugee issue and the implications of developments in Syria. – (Petra)
