Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, affirmed Germany’s strong commitment to the two-state solution “as the only solution to resolve the conflict” during a visit to the region 9th February. While in Israel, she spoke at joint press conference with Israeli FM Yair Lapid and travelled to the Ramallah for meetings with Palestinian President Abbas and FM Riyad al-Malki.
As published in her statement prior to departing for Israel, she wrote:
“Both in Israel and during the other stages of my trip one focus will be on the future of the Middle East peace process. Even though the Middle East conflict is a crisis that for many has always been simmering, we cannot accept it as the status quo. Every individual has the right to hold on to hope – especially the hope for peace. With the new Israeli Government, several steps were recently taken towards bringing Israelis and Palestinians closer, which we very much welcome. Jordan and Egypt, too, have a special role to play here as Israel’s direct neighbours and the oldest peace treaty partners. With my colleagues there I intend to examine how we can work together to support further steps along the way towards a peace process. Germany abides by the goal of a negotiated two-state solution.”
The visit to Israel and the West Bank is followed by meetings in Jordan and Egypt with the goal of giving renewed momentum to the Middle East Peace Process.
Photo credit: Miri Shimonovitz
