Palestinian leader visits Greece

Palestinian leader visits Greece

Bakoyannis pointed out that, for the resumption of direct aid from the European Union to Palestine, the statements and actions of members of the Palestinian Authority should also be taken into account in addition to the three criteria of the Quartet.

"The creation of a national unity government, the recent renewal of a proposal for an Arab peace-making initiative and the first positive messages from Israel, open up particularly promising prospects for promoting a peace-making dialogue," she said.

According to Bakoyannis, the regular dialogue between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was useful and helped to build trust. She urged that it continues, so that results might be achieved on urgent issues for improving living conditions in Palestinian territories.

"The final goal remains a solution of two states based on the Road Map and the criteria of the Quartet, with an end to the occupation and the foundation of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state that will coexist with security next to Israel," Bakoyannis said.

It would be a "powerful" political message if the prospects of creating a Palestinian state were clarified, possibly by establishing a new time schedule, she added.

She also pledged Greece's support, alongside its EU partners, in the effort set up an international mechanism for sending humanitarian and developmental aid to the Palestinian people and to strengthen the institutions of the Palestinian state.

"Greece, as it proved during its presidency of the UN Security Council, will continue to make every effort to establish peace and stability in the region. Greece will support these positions at the next EU General Affairs Council, where the Palestinian issue will be raised," she told Abbas, while stressing the need for Europe to have a "single voice" on this issue.

Abbas said his meetings with the Israeli prime minister were part of this framework and that they focused on "daily issues for Palestinians and issues that can lead to finding a solution".

He urged the EU to lift its embargo because its continuation would only lead to an increase in extremism, which no one wanted.

"The Palestinian people must be helped to lead a normal life so that the situation can be normalized," he added.

Asked to comment on the initiative by Arab countries, the Palestinian president said it was a "Declaration of Principles that leads to peace" and described it as "balanced".

"It asks Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied in 1967 and, in exchange, 57 Islamic and Arab countries are willing to normalize their relations with Israel. It is an extremely important initiative and its implementation is exceptionally vital for achieving peace in the Middle East," he said.