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23 June 2009….
Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said that he is going to present the Egyptian views concerning the current peace efforts regarding the Palestinian-Israeli track to the Arab Ministerial meeting, which is expected to be held on Wednesday June 24th, 2009.
In his statements to the diplomatic reporters on Tuesday, Aboul Gheit outlined that the general framework of the Egyptian stance is based on focusing attention on ending the conflict, and not wasting time on talking about issues which – despite their importance – leads to details and not to the final objective; which is the final settlement.
Aboul Gheit added that the stances expressed by the American President Obama and his administration on this issue deserve respect. He added that it might provide a real opportunity to reach a historic settlement, in case good intentions are available; and if Israel let this effort take its path with neither obstruction nor avoiding cooperation with it. Aboul Gheit pointed that achieving peace demands serious negotiation based on what has been achieved in the previous negotiations and not beginning from square zero with every new government in Israel.
Aboul Gheit underlined that we want to listen to the American vision on a general framework for a solution, building on what has been previously described, such as the Clinton standards and the other known proposals for settling the conflict, ending the Israeli occupation and establishing the independent Palestinian state. The Foreign Minister pointed to the necessity of confirming that the line of 4 June 1967 is the base of negotiations between the two sides; considering these lines “borders” the basis of negotiation is a fundamental matter and all parties have to realize it, the matter that would resolve the final status issues.
It is expected that the Arab Ministerial meeting formulates an Arab stance, which can deal with the current situation through keeping the basics of the Arab situation, added Aboul Gheit. It should be more flexible and open in order to offer the Palestinians power and support to proceed in the upcoming phase, confident that Arabs support them in their negotiation. This is a very important matter, and all the Arab states understand it and want to help Palestinians, affirmed Aboul Gheit. The Foreign Minister concluded that it is important to consolidate this collective Arab stance, which responds to the openness of the American administration. It should be employed to allow Arabs to work with the US in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region, not only through settling the Palestinian track, but also to find the necessary resolutions on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.
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