Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut a ribbon at the opening of the Palestinian Embassy in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP
“Enduring peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without just solution of the Palestine-Israel dispute,” Sharif said while speaking at a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their talks.
According to a press release, Sharif expressed Pakistan’s commitment to the Palestinian cause. “Pakistan will continue its support for the Palestinian cause at all forums. We also look forward to the international community’s sincere efforts for sustainable peace in the Middle East,” the prime minister said.
Sharif said Palestine was a longstanding issue on the UN agenda and needed a practical solution.
“The establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous state of Palestine on the basis of international agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital is the only sustainable guarantee to peace,” the prime minister said.
Sharif mentioned that the Oslo Accord outlining the land for peace and international community’s consensus in favour of the two-state solution remained unimplemented just as the UNSC resolution on Kashmir.
He expressed satisfaction over the opening of a new Palestinian Complex at the Diplomatic Enclave.
“This architecturally aesthetic project would be a living symbol of our brotherly relationship and expression of solidarity of our two countries,” the prime minister said. He said he held a “very fruitful” exchange of views with President Mahmoud Abbas on international developments related to the issues of Kashmir and Palestine.
President Abbas thanked the government of Pakistan for supporting the cause of Palestine.
He informed the prime minister about the latest efforts for the implementation of Resolution 2334 and keeping alive the issue of Palestine.
Abbas also mentioned the on-going barbarianism of Israel against the Palestinian nation. He expressed concern over the planned shifting of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying, “The step will manifestly violate the UNSC resolutions.”
Abbas stressed the need to constitute a joint committee to work out ways for strengthening bilateral relations.
The president thanked Pakistan for establishing the new Palestine Embassy in Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2017.
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