Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinians were ready to go to negotiations under the auspices of the Quartet and with the participation of other countries, on the basis of peace in exchange for land.
During his meeting with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in Ramallah, Abbas said: “We are ready to return to negotiations and are committed to achieving peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. We are also firmly committed to fighting global terrorism, and we continue our endeavors for Palestinian reconciliation that would lead to general elections.”
He continued: “We reiterate that there will be no peace, security and stability in our region without ending the Israeli occupation of our land, and the Palestinian people obtaining their freedom and independence in their sovereign state based on the 1967 borders.”
Raab arrived in Ramallah from Israel as part of British efforts to advance peace between the two sides.
“We appreciate all the aid Britain provides to support building our institutions and advancing our national economy. We say that it is time for Britain to recognize the state of Palestine. This will help achieve justice and work to consolidate the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders, so that Palestine and Israel may live in security, peace and good neighborliness,” Abbas said.
The Palestinians suggested returning to negotiations under the international quartet (the European Union, the United Nations, Russia and the United States) and considering the 2002 Arab peace initiative as a reference for this process.
