13/9/2024–|Last update: 9/13/202402:40 PM (Makkah Time)
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stressed today, Friday, that the steps taken towards recognizing the State of Palestine are important but not sufficient, during the launch of the European Islamic Ministerial Meeting in Madrid to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and ways to implement the two-state solution.
The minister pointed out that it is necessary to launch a peace process under the auspices of the United Nations and oblige the parties concerned with the conflict to participate in it, according to his expression.
Albares said his country had imposed sanctions on settlers who practice violence in the occupied West Bank, during a speech at the Madrid meeting.
He added that the steps taken towards recognizing a Palestinian state are important but insufficient, especially to stop the war in the Gaza Strip, pointing to the necessity of a two-state solution and stopping the war on the Strip.
He stressed his country’s support for Qatar, Egypt and the United States to reach a ceasefire agreement and release detainees.
He stated that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a fundamental element in the relief and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, calling for its support, in light of the campaign launched against it by Israel.
Foreign ministers from several Islamic and European countries are meeting in the Spanish capital to discuss how to implement the two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the attendance of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and members of the Arab-Islamic Contact Group on the Gaza Strip.
It is noteworthy that Spain, Norway and Ireland officially recognized on May 28 a Palestinian state that includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, governed by the Palestinian Authority and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In addition to the three countries, 146 countries out of 193 members of the United Nations now recognize the Palestinian state.
