New york: The ministerial meeting hosted by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will convene at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday and Tuesday. The meeting is expected to be attended by Prime Minister of Palestine, Mohammad Shtayyeh, alongside several ministers from around the world. Israel and the United States will not participate in this meeting.
According to Qatar News Agency, the meeting is presided over by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, alongside Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot. It constitutes a joint French-Saudi initiative aimed at revitalizing the momentum of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis. This meeting was initially scheduled to be held at the highest level upon the call of the United Nations General Assembly last June but was postponed due to the Israeli assault on Iran.
Subsequently, it was agreed to hold the meeting at the ministerial level as a precursor to an anticipated summit scheduled for September within the framework of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. A statement was put out on Jun. 17 by the joint presidency of the United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, represented by Saudi Arabia and France, alongside the Co-Chairs of the Conference's Working Groups.
The statement expressed the utmost concern over the ongoing escalation and the recent developments in the region that prompted the suspension of this conference. It underscored the full commitment to ensuring the continuation of the conference to ultimately achieve the intended objectives. The statement highlighted the need to respect international law and nations' sovereignty, reinforcing peace, freedom, and dignity for all nations in the region.
Furthermore, the statement reiterated the unwavering support for all efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza, achieving a just and enduring settlement for the Palestinian cause through the enforcement of the two-state solution, and ensuring peace and stability for all nations in the region. The State of Qatar emphasized its full support for the two-state solution, stressing the importance of taking irreversible steps to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In the same context, a joint Qatari-French statement issued last June at the conclusion of the third annual Strategic Dialogue between the two countries in Paris called for a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages and prisoners in the Gaza Strip. It also advocated for reaching a long-term political solution that offers hope for the victims of this conflict and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution.
Barrot reiterated opposition to any forced displacement of Gazans, citing it as a violation of international law and a key factor of instability. HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the international meeting under the presidency of France and Saudi Arabia to enforce the two-state solution. Both sides indicated that such efforts are the only way to achieve enduring peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring regional stability.
They affirmed that the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution would serve as a catalyst toward that objective by formulating a credible roadmap for implementation, allowing both countries to live side-by-side in peace within their internationally recognized borders.