Statement by EU High Representative Ashton after meeting with PA President Abbas – EU Press release/Non-UN document

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton following

her meeting with President Abbas

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today, following her meeting in Strasbourg with President Abbas:

"It was a great pleasure to meet President Abbas today to continue our discussions on the Middle East Peace Process and to prepare for the Quartet envoys meeting that I will host in Brussels on Sunday. We had a long, open and frank discussion to update one another on developments since we last talked in New York during the UN General Assembly week. My objective, in line with the Quartet statement, is clear: to do everything possible to find a way to bring the parties back to the negotiating table and reach the permanent solution that will meet the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis. Only negotiations can bring a lasting resolution to the conflict."

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