Palestinian President:Confirming need for Israel to cease unilateral actions undermining the two states' solution

  The President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, has spoken in Bucharest on Tuesday about "the need for Israel to cease unilateral actions which undermine the solution of the two states," adding that "the current situation can no longer continue".We are confirming the need for Israel to cease its unilateral actions that undermine the solution of the two states, as well as the orientation to enforcing the signed agreements in order to transit towards the political vision based on the solution of the two states in the principle of borders of 1967 and in accordance with the international legitimate decisions and towards the cease of the Israeli occupation on the territory of the state of Palestine with the capital in East Jerusalem, so that the states in the area live in security, peace and good neighborly relations. We are also confirming that the current situation can no longer carry on. That is why we are continuing to initiate contacts in order to gather international support to create initiatives that can prevent the aggravation of the situation, before it is too late, because the crash of the two states' solution, which relies on international legitimations, will put us in front of difficult and complicated decisions. Despite all this, we are ready to be involved in any sort of peace efforts and initiatives, which are based on international legitimation, aspect which will lead to the rooting of the peace, stability and security in the area, to ceasing Israeli occupation and to forming the state of Palestine with its capital in East Jerusalem, said Mahmoud Abbas, at Cotroceni Palace, after meeting with president Klaus Iohannis.He thanked Romania for supporting peace in the Middle East.I would like to thank Romania for its political and economic support and for helping our national institutions, which makes Romania, who has a distinguished status in the European Union, to be capable of playing a political role in animating the Peace Process, without which we will never reach peace and security in the Middle East, the Palestinian President said.   În turn, President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday, after meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, that the achievement of peace in the Middle East remains a priority on Romania's foreign agenda, , who is on an official visit to Romania."I assured Mr. President that achieving peace in the Middle East remains a priority on our foreign agenda. I conveyed Romania's full support for the just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, through direct negotiations leading to the implementation of the solution of two states, living side by side in peace and security. This is the only viable option capable to guarantee the fulfillment of the aspirations of both peoples and the observance of international law," President Iohannis said at the Cotroceni Palace.He voiced appreciation for the US involvement for the creation of a favorable framework for the resumption of the peace process."I expressed hope that, based on the involvement of the US and a constructive approach to the peace process, with the support of foreign partners, the regional security situation will improve. The security needs of both sides, Palestinians and Israelis, will be answered thus. As a state with traditionally close friendly relations with both states, Romania is in its turn ready to provide the necessary support. The current regional and global security challenges highlight, more than ever, the need for balance, moderation and visionary leadership. I have called for the implementation of constructive actions - an entreaty Romania strongly believes in and which it transmits to all actors in the Middle East on every occasion," said the head of the state.The two Presidents also discussed the constant support for Palestine in multilateral fora, including at EU level, with President Iohannis citing Romania's efforts for the resumption of EU financial aid to Palestine as the latest example."Romania will also continue to support the launch of negotiations for an EU-Palestine association agreement," he added.The two Presidents also had an in-depth exchange of views on Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine, with Klaus Iohannis presenting the support Romania is providing Ukraine on multiple levels - humanitarian, political, economic, sectoral - including the facilitation of grain exports.Iohannis pointed out that Romania's supporting Palestine has a long tradition, recalling the academic training in our country of hundreds of experts who have influenced the main areas of Palestinian social and economic life."Romania seeks the development and deepening of all areas of cooperation of common interest," he added.Talks also focused on education, an occasion on which President Iohannis announced that Romania had decided to increase the number of university scholarships offered to Palestinian citizens.