Germany remains committed to two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict - Steinmeier

Record ID: 83860

  • Title: Germany remains committed to two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict - Steinmeier
  • Date: 26th October 2016
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (OCTOBER 26, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY VARIOUS OF CONVOY CARRYING PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER RAMI HAMDALLAH ARRIVING GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER WAITING ON STEPS CAMERAMAN VARIOUS OF HAMDALLAH GETTING OUT OF CAR, BEING GREETED BY STEINMEIER STEINMEIER AND HAMDALLAH ENTERING FOREIGN MINISTRY HAMDALLAH, STEINMEIER AND MEMBERS OF GERMAN-PALESTINIAN STEERING COMMITTEE POSING FOR FAMILY PHOTO HAMDALLAH AND STEINMEIER WALKING TO PODIUMS CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: "It is a conflict that has not been forgotten and must not be forgotten. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians is not just something wanted by the region, by the Palestinians - it remains our desire in Germany and we maintain that the realisation of the two-state solution is the only way to guarantee long-term peace and stability in this part of the world. Therefore, that remains the guiding principle of our policy." VARIOUS OF STEINMEIER SPEAKING NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER, RAMI HAMDALLAH, SAYING: "The Israeli continued policy of land confiscation, isolation of Jerusalem, imprisoning of our children, the siege of Gaza and the deliberate and continued denial of Palestinian human rights is making the two-state solution unattainable without strong and serious international action to end the Israeli military occupation of Palestine. During our discussions today with Mr. Steinmeier, we agreed to cooperate with a view to advancing the two-state solution on the ground and demonstrate through policies and actions our genuine commitment to the two-state solution. We also agreed that the continuing Israeli policy of settlement expansion and denial of Palestinian development is steadily eroding the viability of the two-state solution." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS HAMDALLAH SPEAKING HAMDALLAH AND STEINMEIER SHAKING HANDS, LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 10th November 2016 12:31
  • Keywords: Frank-Walter Steinmeier Rami Hamdallah two-state solution Palestinians Israel
  • Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • City: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00155N5W07
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Germany remains committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday (October 26).
    "The realisation of the two-state solution is the only way to guarantee long-term peace and stability in this part of the world. Therefore that remains the guiding principle of our policy," Steinmeier told reporters in Berlin after a meeting of the German-Palestinian steering committee.
    Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah called for "strong and serious international action to end the Israeli military occupation of Palestine".
    Hamdallah said that the Palestinians were still committed to a two-state solution, but that Israeli settlement expansion was eroding its viability.
    Earlier this month, the European Union's diplomatic service said Israel's decision to build new settlements far inside the West Bank weakens prospects for peace with the Palestinians.
    Israel's ally the United States also sharply criticised the plan, saying that it would undermine a two-state solution and contradicted assurances made to Washington.
    Israel regards the planned housing units as part of an existing settlement called Shilo, which is about halfway between the Palestinian seat of government in Ramallah and Nablus farther north.
    Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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