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PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen met the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, with Socialist Group Leader Martin Schulz and French Parti Socialiste Leader Martine Aubry in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen expressed his hopes for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, and his strong support for international monitoring of the ceasefire.

Rasmussen encouraged Mahmoud Abbas not to lose faith in a negotiated and final peace deal between the Palestinian and Israeli people. “I understand that many Palestinians are losing hope in negotiations but we must help restore confidence. The Quartet can do so by securing concrete progress on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank. The nomination of George Mitchell as Middle East special envoy is a welcome step towards restarting serious talks.”

“There needs to be an international presence to maintain the ceasefire” said Rasmussen. “The Israeli authorities must allow food, urgent medical aid and fuel to be delivered to the Gaza Strip through the opening of the crossing points and the lifting of the blockade. The siege must be ended and decent living conditions restored for the Palestinian people.”




FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org