Merkel for Mid-East peace
February 1, 2010
At a press conference with Abbas, the chancellor said the goal of peace talks must be a two-state solution with a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, side-by-side in peaceful coexistence and within secure borders.
On his arrival in Germany earlier in the day, Abbas expressed concern that a solution to the Middle East conflict was growing increasingly difficult.
Merkel said she and President Abbas both agreed that the peace process with Israel must be re-launched as soon as possible. Negotiations have been frozen since December 2008.
"Both sides know that such talks are necessary because it is in the interest of both sides to reach a two-state solution," Merkel said.
Abbas said he was open to further talks in exchange for a three-month freeze of Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and the recognition of 1967 borders as the basis for land swaps.
"This requires that the Israelis withdraw from the Arab areas, which were occupied in 1967. These principles, set down in the Road Map, are always a topic in our talks with the Americans and the Israelis," Abbas said through an interpreter.
In an interview Sunday with the British newspaper the Guardian, Abbas said new Israeli settlements in the West Bank were leading to a "one-state solution." He also defended the construction of a border fence between Gaza and Egypt in order to control smuggling activities.
Germany, Palestinians deepen economic ties
Germany enjoys good relations with the Palestinians. The two have agreed to intensify economic cooperation.
Merkel and Abbas agreed to deepend ties by announcing plans to establish a bilateral economic commission.
The chancellor also said she was "greatly concerned" about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Islamist Hamas group, and said she supported the early delivery of fuel to Gaza's only power station.
The meeting between the two leaders follows talks last week in Berlin between Merkel and Israeli President Shimon Peres. After those discussions, the chancellor said Germany wanted to help make a two-state solution in the Middle East a reality.
gb/dpa/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar