Middle East policy
Merkel gives assurance of continuity
Germany has committed a total of 100 million euros to the Palestinian Territories for 2013. It was important, Chancellor Merkel said after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, that economic development was successful and tangible for the population.
Following her meeting with President Abbas in Berlin Angela Merkel emphasized that it was very important for the Federal Government that the possible US-led Israeli-Palestinian talks were a success. She said the two leaders had discussed the prospects for that.
The Chancellor said: “Germany has always indicated that unilateral steps are not the way to push forward the peace process.” Negotiations were the only way to bring about a solution, she added. Asked about settlement building, she urged Israel to show restraint with its settlement policy. President Abbas stressed that the Palestinian side was serious in its efforts to conduct the negotiations.
Two-State solution
A lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can, in Germany’s view, only be achieved through negotiations that lead to a two-State solution: The State of Israel and an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state.
On his trip to Israel and Palestine in March 2013 US President Barack Obama had tried to canvas support for negotiations without preconditions. Based on an initiative launched by US Secretary of State John Kerry, Israel and Palestine held direct talks in Washington in July. It was agreed that confidential negotiations on all relevant issues would be conducted.
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German involvement in the Palestinian Territories
Germany is one of the biggest bilateral donors in the Palestinian Territories. Germany’s involvement focuses on water, economic development, public safety (police), governance and education. In 2012 the Federal Government committed a total of some 150 million euros to the Palestinian Territories, around 74 million euros of which in the context of bilateral projects. The funding for bilateral projects was allocated to development cooperation (46 million euros), humanitarian aid (approx. 15 million euros), civilian crisis prevention (8.3 million euros), and culture and education (4.8 million euros). |
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Country: Germany
Subject: Assistance, Middle East situation, Palestine question, Peace proposals and efforts, Settlements, Statehood-related
Publication Date: 18/10/2013