New York, July 29 (Petra) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi on Tuesday stressed the significance of the Two-State Solution Conference, which began in New York on Monday, in building a unified international stance to support the Palestinian people's right to freedom and an independent, sovereign state on Palestinian national soil.

During meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the conference attended by representatives from 125 countries Safadi emphasized the need for concrete actions to implement the two-state solution, calling it the only viable path to peace. He reiterated the urgent need to halt the Israeli aggression on Gaza and open all crossings for the immediate and sufficient entry of humanitarian aid to counter the famine caused by Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon, which he described as a blatant violation of international law and human values.

In separate meetings with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Safadi praised Saudi Arabia and France for convening the conference and for their efforts to ensure it results in a clear international position supporting the two-state solution and a just, comprehensive peace.

He also renewed Jordan’s appreciation of France’s announcement of its intention to recognize the State of Palestine in September.

During a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Safadi welcomed Britain’s planned recognition of the Palestinian state in September, calling it a significant step toward enshrining the two-state solution as the sole framework for resolving the conflict.

Safadi stressed the importance of broader international recognition of the State of Palestine and urged the international community to confront Israel’s illegal actions that undermine prospects for peace.

Speaking at a separate meeting hosted by Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Xavier Bettel, Safadi underscored the vital role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), warning that its functions cannot be replaced or dismissed.

He also commended Saudi Arabia and France for organizing the high-level UN conference on a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, as well as for their intensive efforts to rally clear international backing for a fair and lasting peace.

On the sidelines of the conference, Safadi held additional bilateral talks with several of his counterparts to discuss efforts to halt the war on Gaza and reach a prisoner exchange agreement that would guarantee a permanent ceasefire.

He reiterated the urgent need for unified global rejection of starvation as a tool of war and called for international cooperation to deliver humanitarian assistance to save the people of Gaza, who are facing an unprecedented catastrophe.

Safadi’s bilateral meetings included discussions with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.

He also met with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon; Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel; Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira; Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares; Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villaviciencio; Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Florian Hahn; and Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi.

Petra


29/07/2025 21:42:05