Foreign ministers of Latvia and Palestinian National Authority agree on international community’s significant role in successful implementation of Middle East Peace Process
By admin at 30 June, 2010, 2:06 pm
| Tweet |
|
On 18 June, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis met with Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riad Al-Malki, who visited Latvia as part of a regional working visit.
During the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on co-operation between Latvia and the Palestinian National Authority, as well as on current events in the Middle East region.
At the meeting, the Latvian Foreign Minister acknowledged that Latvia as an EU member state voices support for the Middle East Peace Process and the state building plan prepared in 2009 by Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority. As part of the EU European Neighbourhood Policy, however, Latvia supports regional development, which contributes significantly to the promotion of competitiveness. Latvia also wishes to provide practical assistance to the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the Palestinian National Authority and as one of the options, the officials discussed co-operation in the field of environment, where a project in the sector of water treatment could be jointly implemented. The Union for the Mediterranean also offers opportunities for successful collaboration.
Talking about the recent events that took place during a military operation by Israeli commandos against a Gaza-support flotilla in international waters, Minister Ronis expressed condemnation to the disproportionate force applied and acknowledged that Latvia together with other EU member states urges to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial inquiry. The Minister noted the initiative by Israel to set up its own commission of inquiry in the attack on the flotilla and deemed the decision of including international experts in the commission to be a step in the positive direction.
At the meeting, the Minister expressed support for indirect peace talks, the aim of which is to return to direct dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians. Latvia could also contribute to the Middle East Peace Process as it is a state which regards co-operation with the Palestinian National Authority and Israel as equally positive. The ministers agreed that the international community plays a significant role in successful implementation of the Middle East Peace Process.
The foreign ministers of Latvia and the Palestinian National Authority signed the Protocol on the Establishment of a Mechanism for Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority.
The protocol stipulates that the parties will develop and strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation on the basis of universally recognised international law principles and legislation. Political consultations will concern bilateral relations, issues of security and co-operation in Europe and the Mediterranean region, as well as international developments within the interest of both parties. Consultations will be chaired by senior officials of the ministries and they will alternate between Riga and Ramallah.
No comments yet.