EU reiterates that two-states only solution to resolve Palestine question

BRUSSELS, March 20 (KUNA) -- The annual spring meeting of the international donor coordination group in support of the Palestinian economy, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), met in Brussels on Tuesday.
The meeting was hosted by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and presided by the Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide in her capacity as the Chair of the AHLC.
Speaking to reporters, Mogherini, reiterated "that the two states solution, with Jerusalem as the shared capital, remains the only viable path towards peace and security for both the Israelis and Palestinians." "We see how volatile the situation in the Middle East is and we definitely cannot afford greater destabilisation. Today, in the meeting we will focus in particular on Gaza," she said.
She added that the "economic outlook will most likely remain bleak without the clear progress towards reunification of the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine unity is not only an important element for reaching a two states solution and a lasting peace, but it is also a fundamental way that is needed." Mogherini also stressed that, supporting UNRWA is a humanitarian but also a political duty, warning that if the UN agency is not be able to deliver its services in Gaza, education, food aid, health care, "the situation in the street may run completely out of control and this is something that we definitely have to avoid." On her part, Soreide, told reporters that the "situation in Gaza remains very difficult; we cannot fail people in Gaza. Two million people are in desperate need of energy, water, sanitation, jobs, trade, humanitarian assistance and lifting of the (Israeli) blockade." "The international community must intensify the efforts to improve the livelihoods of the people in Gaza and our main priority today during the meeting and in the months ahead is to make real progress to the situation on the ground and to continuing the return of the PA to Gaza.
"We will prioritize sectors as energy, water and increase access of people and goods," she added.
Jasem Al Budaiwi, Kuwait's ambassador to the EU, NATO Belgium and Luxembourg, represented his country at the meeting.
The AHLC has served since 1993 as a key policy-level coordination mechanism for financial assistance to the Palestinian people. The main purpose of the AHLC is to support preserving the vision of a negotiated two-state solution. (end) nk.sd