Venizelos meets Palestinian Authority’s al-Malki, pledges support for Middle East peace initiative

In statements after the meeting, Venizelos stressed that both the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships have shown political courage by accepting the peace initiative suggested by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. “Now is the time for all sides to display a constructive spirit and avoid unilateral actions,” he added.
He repeated the need to leave

open a window of opportunity for achieving a final agreement, based on a solution of two states and added that Greece “supports the Kerry initiative as a country and as the Greek presidency of the EU Council”.
“This is the only solution that can answer satisfactorily to the Palestinian’s long-standing demand for a state and Israel’s demand for security,” he said.
Venizelos said he was optimistic that soon, with the assistance of the EU and the international community, such a solution benefiting all sides will arise.
The foreign minister said that the EU has already started to process a support package that will be given to both sides if they achieve a peace deal, which will be made more specific and be put into application on the day after the desired agreement is achieved. He also said that Greece was ready to contribute to the peace-making process if it is asked asked.
Venizelos referred to the excellent climate in bilateral relations and said they discussed ways to enhance political and economic ties.
In his capacity as chair of the EU council of ministers, Venizelos invited Malki to visit Athens once again on June 10 when an EU foreign ministers and Arab League meeting will be held. He described this as one of the most important initiatives of the Greek EU presidency and a proof that Greece’s relations with the Arab world have a central place in the Greek EU presidency’s priorities.
Malki referred to the positive climate in Friday’s talks and the special role that can be played by Greece as the head of the EU presidency for a solution of the Palestinian problem. He also congratulated the Greek minister on the initiative in June and said that there were great expectations from that meeting.
Replying to questions on what the Israeli and Palestinian sides must avoid at this time so that the new effort for a peace deal can succeed, al-Malki said he was an optimist but also a realist and was awaiting actions in the direction of a solution. The Palestinian Authority minister pointed out that similar situations had existed in the past and “we do not want to be disappointed again”. He expressed hope, nevertheless, that the effort initiated by Kerry will continue so that there is a basis for a solution, underlining the role that the EU can play in this effort.

source: ΑΜΝΑ