Maliki Holds Israel Responsible For Obstruction Of Talks

Tuesday November 09, 2010 06:21 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad al-Maliki, stated during his Monday meeting in Ramallah with his Slovenian counterpart, Samuel Zbogar, that Israel is responsible for the obstruction of peace talks, especially due to its illegal settlement activities and ongoing violations in occupied East Jerusalem.

Al-Maliki also stated that settlers are ongoing with their attacks against the Palestinian people, their lands and their properties.

He said that the Israeli government is actively engaged in sabotaging all international efforts that aim at ensuring the resumption of the peace process, and is favoring settlement construction and expansion over peace.

The Palestinian FM added that Israel is ruining all chances of the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, and called on the International Community to intervene and stop all unilateral Israeli measures, including home demolition, land grab, the siege on Gaza and the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank.

Dr. Maliki expressed hopes that, through the European Union, Slovenia will play an important role in ensuring a credible peace process that is capable of ending the Israeli occupation in the occupied territories, including in occupied East Jerusalem, in order to achieve a comprehensive and a lasting peace agreement.

Maliki called on Slovenia in help the Palestinian academics by providing them with scholarships, and to develop their capabilities.

On his part, the Slovenian FM called for advancing bilateral relations with the Palestinian Authority, and added that he hopes the PA and Slovenia will be able to sign agreements for further political cooperation.

Zbogar also stated that his country supports the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to an independent state.

Slovenia is providing training to the Palestinian Police, and provided medical treatment to many children from the Gaza Strip.

palestine | international politics | news report saed at imemc dot org