Recent developments in the United States initiative to revitalise the Peace Process, Italian support for the Palestinian institution-building process, and bilateral relations. Those were the topics discussed at Foreign Minister Emma Bonino’s meeting at the Farnesina with her Palestinian colleague, Malki, today, 26 June.
Minister Bonino observed that Prime Minister Letta’s forthcoming visit to the region is “highly significant” in view of the meetings he will have with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Abbas, and the Quartet Representative, Blair. It is significant too because it will take place immediately after the European Council at the end of the week.
The two ministers agreed to provide full support to the mediation initiative by the American Secretary of State, Kerry, designed to give new impetus to the Peace Process. Minister Bonino reiterated Italy’s support for the two-state solution and encouraged Malki to grasp the opportunity presented by Washington’s initiative by engaging in direct negotiations with Israel.
Minister Malki illustrated the outlook for intra-Palestinian dialogue and offered his views on the Syrian crisis. Minister Bonino shared with her colleague her impressions from her meetings yesterday with the Jordanian authorities.
At the bilateral level, the two ministers discussed the preparations for the Joint Steering Committee due to take place before the end of the year in Ramallah; the Italian contribution to the security missions (EUPOL COPPS in Ramallah, TIPH in Hebron and EUBAM in Rafah); training for Palestinian security units; and Development Cooperation (30 million euros for the PNA budget).
