WEST BANK: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hosts Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at his Ramallah headquarters

Record ID: 564861

  • Title: WEST BANK: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hosts Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at his Ramallah headquarters
  • Date: 20th January 2014
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (JANUARY 20, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HONOUR GUARD AND BAND PLAYING FOR ARRIVAL OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER VARIOUS OF PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS AND HARPER WALKING PAST TROOPS
  • Embargoed: 4th February 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA93VV71YOSWEGKFWMU2LTM91KE
  • Story Text: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was welcomed with a festive ceremony in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday (January 20) ahead of meeting Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
    According to the Canadian prime minister's website, Harper will discuss bilateral issues as well as the Middle East peace process and regional security, during his meetings.
    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas indicated there were several areas on which the Palestinian Authority and Canadian government disagreed.
    "Canada is a country with sovereignty and can take the position it wishes. If that position differs from ours, we should work to clarify our points of view so that our positions can be reconciled. We are not saying that Canada carries out Israel's policies or those of anybody else. No, Canada carries out its own policies and it's free to do so. At the same time, we look toward our shared issues. As for ones on which we differ, they should be resolved through discussion, through talking, through the best interactions. Everyone is entitled to his position, and we respect disagreement as well," Abbas told reporters.
    On his six-day trip to the region, Harper will also visit Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.
    He told Abbas that Canada was committed to the peace process.
    "We obviously understand the various challenges that Palestinians face. That's why again today, and obviously over a long period of time, the government of Canada has supported Palestinians in critical areas: humanitarian aid, political development, security development, peace process, and we will continue to do so, Canada is a strong supporter of the peace process. Our position is not an Israeli position or a Palestinian position, it's a Canadian position of principle, supported by the overall majority of Canadians and at its heart is our belief that the critical issues must be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians themselves," Harper said.
    Harper arrived in the Middle East on Sunday (January 19), and first visited Jerusalem, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    He also visited Bethlehem's Church of Nativity in the West Bank.
    Later on Monday, Harper is expected to address Israel's parliament.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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