Sheikh Reviews Developments in Palestinian Situations and Efforts to Revive the Political Process with European Delegation

SadaNews - The Deputy Head of Palestine, Hussein Sheikh, discussed with a high-level European delegation headed by the European Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, Dubravka Suica, and including the Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, Christophe Bigot, and the EU ambassador, Alexander Stutzmann, the importance of enhancing relations between the European Union and Palestine, the latest developments related to the situation in Palestine, and efforts to achieve stability and peace in accordance with international legitimacy.

This took place during a meeting held today, Tuesday, in his office in Ramallah, attended by the member of the Central Committee of the "Fatah" Movement, Dr. Leila Ghannam, the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Dr. Majdi Khalidi, and the Head of the Deputy President's Bureau, Ayah Al-Muhaysin.

The meeting addressed the overall political and field developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, in light of the ongoing settler assaults and escalating occupation violations in the West Bank, the seizure of Palestinian funds, alongside the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip due to the continued aggression and blockade, which hampers relief efforts and obstructs the reconstruction process, further exacerbating the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Sheikh stressed that the Palestinian leadership is continuing its efforts to entrench the democratic approach and enhance the political process, ensuring the protection of Palestinian national rights, and establishing a serious political process based on international legitimacy and its resolutions, which would lead to ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He reiterated the commitment to hold parliamentary elections in November and presidential elections next year.

He also emphasized the importance of the European role in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and the necessity of intensifying international efforts to stop Israeli violations, end the war on Gaza, lift the blockade, release the detained Palestinian funds, and enable the Palestinian government to fulfill its responsibilities in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The Deputy President praised the developmental and humanitarian assistance provided by the European Union, affirming the State of Palestine's commitment to all reform programs, including governance, security and justice sectors, unifying the social protection system, and developing services in the education and health sectors.

For her part, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean confirmed the EU's continued interest in supporting Palestine and Palestinian reform programs, stating that the EU is monitoring developments in the Palestinian territories and supports efforts aimed at achieving stability in Gaza and the West Bank, and reviving the political horizon according to the two-state solution and international law.