Saudi Arabia and Norway hosted a meeting to address the urgent need to end the Gaza conflict and take necessary steps toward implementing a two-state solution, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The meeting, held in Brussels on Sunday, gathered the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip and foreign ministers and representatives from European countries.
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, co-chaired the meeting alongside his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, in cooperation with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. This meeting was a continuation of a previous one on the same topic hosted by Riyadh on April 29.
The ministers and representatives of Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation attended the meeting.
Ending Conflict
The meeting underscored its support for efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire, release hostages and prisoners, and end the war in Gaza. It also highlighted the need to end all illegal unilateral measures and violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including controlling the Rafah crossing, and addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed tangible steps towards the establishment of a Palestinian State within the framework of a two-state solution, and the adoption of a political path that supports a sustainable resolution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The meeting stressed the significance of the international community’s recognition of the State of Palestine, to adopt a comprehensive approach toward a reliable and irreversible path to implementing the two-state solution in accordance with international law and agreed-upon principles. This includes the UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, as well as other relevant peace initiatives aimed at achieving just and lasting peace that upholds the rights of the Palestinian people and ensures regional security.
The Two-State Solution
In a press conference with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide and the EU top Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that, in Riyadh and Brussels meetings, Saudi Arabia focused on keeping the two-state solution alive.
He noted that the international community appears to be reaching a consensus on the two-state solution that guarantees the security and rights of the Palestinian people.
Warning that the situation in Gaza has become critical and demanded an immediate ceasefire, Prince Faisal bin Farhan pointed out that the international community agrees on the urgency of reaching a ceasefire and releasing hostages. He said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly and in an unacceptable way.”
In addition, the Saudi Foreign Minister said that the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Developments in the Gaza Strip aims to address the crisis in Gaza, adding that it is working to reach a two-state solution that can be a basis for peace and security in the region.
Recognition of Palestine
Prince Faisal bin Farhan praised Norway, Spain and Ireland for recognizing the State of Palestine, saying that other European countries are considering the same move.
Moreover, he underlined the importance of enhancing state institutions within the Palestinian Authority, to demonstrate that the Palestinian State is capable of assuming its responsibilities, including guaranteeing the security of its neighbors.
The Saudi Foreign Minister stressed the importance of upholding international law, including humanitarian law, as this would send a signal to Israel that it cannot act with impunity, or undermine the Palestinian State forever.
