Abbas Confirms Commitment to Implement Reform Program.. Receives Call from Canadian Prime Minister

SadaNews - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a phone call from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

During the call, the latest developments in the Palestinian territories were discussed, in addition to regional and international issues of mutual interest, and ways to enhance bilateral relations.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Canadian Prime Minister for his country's courageous positions that uphold international legitimacy and law, reiterating the thanks of the State of Palestine and its people for the important Canadian recognition of the State of Palestine and its commitment to work with international partners to implement the two-state solution, put an end to violations of international law, and appreciating the humanitarian and developmental assistance provided by Canada.

President Abbas stated: "We reaffirm our commitment to implementing the reform program, in which we have made significant progress according to the planned pathways that include enhancing governance and transparency, digital transformation, strengthening the rule of law and security, empowering the justice sector, developing educational curricula according to UNESCO standards, and establishing a new unified social protection system."

The President added, "We are also making steady progress in the democratic path, as we held a youth conference, completed local elections, and preparations are underway for the eighth conference of the Fatah movement, and in November, national council elections will be held. Once the conditions are ready, we will conduct parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible."

He emphasized the importance of implementing the second phase of the peace plan announced by President Trump and UN Security Council resolution 2803 to establish a ceasefire and the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and to hand over weapons by Palestinian factions, in order to start a recovery and reconstruction phase based on the principle of a single state, a single law, and a single legitimate weapon.

The President stressed the importance of pressuring the Israeli side to stop its escalatory policies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to halt settlement expansion and annexation, stop settler violence, maintain the historical and legal status in sacred religious sites, and return the Palestinian funds held by Israel, which have reached (5 billion dollars) and negatively impacted the Palestinian government's ability to meet its obligations to the Palestinian people.

He expressed the importance of continuing to work to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their friendly peoples, and to raise the level of diplomatic representation in accordance with the Vienna Convention, especially after Canada's recognition of the State of Palestine last September.

On the regional level, the President renewed the State of Palestine’s condemnation of Iran's aggression against the Gulf Arab states and Jordan, and Israel's aggression against Lebanon, calling for prioritizing international law and dialogue as a way to resolve disputes.

For his part, the Canadian Prime Minister reaffirmed his country's commitment to work with international partners to implement the two-state solution to establish a viable State of Palestine, emphasizing the need to maintain faith in this commitment despite the serious escalation in the region.

He pointed out Canada’s keenness to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries and their friendly peoples, reiterating Canada’s commitment to continue supporting the Palestinian people in building their institutions.

The Canadian Prime Minister condemned the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories, considering them illegal and illegitimate.

Carney stated, "We express our great concern over the ongoing Israeli assaults in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in addition to settler violence, and Canada’s firm rejection of the annexation of Palestinian land and the execution law for Palestinian prisoners."

He added: "At the same time, we commend the Palestinian efforts being made to advance the implementation of the reforms that the State of Palestine has committed to, congratulating President Mahmoud Abbas and, through him, the Palestinian people on the successful conduct of local elections."

He indicated Canada’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations with the State of Palestine, and in this regard, the Palestinian Foreign Minister will be invited for further consultations to enhance these relations.

At the end of the call, an agreement was reached between the President and the Canadian Prime Minister to continue communications and mutual visits between both sides and to conduct further consultations and joint coordination, which would positively reflect on the strong friendship relations between the two countries and peoples.