Trump envoys meet with Abbas in Ramallah, hold "productive meeting" - White House

WASHINGTON, June 22 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoys met late Wednesday in Ramallah with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and his senior advisers, the White House announced.
Senior Adviser to the President Jared Kushner, Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt and US Consul General in Jerusalem Donald Blome had a "productive meeting" with Abbas "and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing President Trump's goal of a genuine and lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians that enhances stability in the region," the announcement said.
Kushner and Greenblatt discussed with Abbas priorities for the Palestinians and potential next steps, acknowledging the need for economic opportunities for Palestinians and major investments in the Palestinian economy, the statement said. The US officials and Palestinian leadership "underscored that forging peace will take time and stressed the importance of doing everything possible to create an environment conducive to peacemaking," it said.
The Abbas meeting followed the US group meeting with Israeli officials.
Kushner and Greenblatt plan to return to Washington to brief Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and national security adviser General H.R. McMaster and to continue the conversation about next steps, the statement noted. (end) rm.hb