Blanar: Slovakia Backs Two-state Solution to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Bratislava, 17 February (TASR) - Slovakia supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and wants to take an active part in peace initiatives, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said after talks with Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekjan Shahin on Tuesday. Blanar also stressed the importance of respecting international law, which he said can ensure stability with the aim of achieving a two-state solution. Blanar announced that Slovakia will take part on Thursday, as an observer, in the inaugural session of the Board of Peace in Washington. He added that Slovakia wants to contribute to the peace process in order to help implement a UN resolution and a peace plan for the Gaza Strip that should lead to a sustainable solution to the conflict. The Board of Peace is an initiative of US President Donald Trump. Its main task is to oversee the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Several Arab countries as well as Israel are members of the international organisation, however, the Palestinian state is not. "Yes, we would be very pleased if Palestine were also at the table within that plan. We would also be very pleased if it were defined that the goal of the Board of Peace's efforts is a two-state solution. It is not there, but that does not mean we will in any way lower the importance of this initiative," said Blanar. According to the Slovak foreign minister, only respect for international law can ensure stability vis-a-vis the aim of achieving a two-state solution, and he highlighted the US government's peace plan. "At present, we see only one initiative that can bring about a peace settlement, and that is the initiative that has come from the US administration of President Trump," he declared. According to Blanar, Slovakia wants to continue humanitarian aid, including evacuations of patients from the Gaza Strip, and support for Palestinian students at Slovak schools. The two countries also plan to develop cultural and economic cooperation, and next week Slovakia and Palestine will sign a memorandum of cooperation in agriculture, the food industry and veterinary medicine. The minister also stressed that Slovakia wants to maintain balanced relations with Israel and Palestine and that Slovakia recognised the Palestinian state back in 1988 as part of Czechoslovakia, confirming this recognition after gaining independence. Both sides also condemned the attack by the Palestinian militant movement Hamas on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Aghabekjan Shahin welcomed Slovakia's political and humanitarian support and stressed that the situation in the Gaza Strip remains critical. She noted that violations of the ceasefire continue and said steps by the Israeli government threaten the territorial integrity of Palestine and the practical implementation of a two-state solution. "The two-state solution is the only viable solution, and if someone believes there are more workable options, let us discuss them. But as Palestinians, we know that the two-state solution is the only one that guarantees the security of two states living side by side in peace and safety," the minister declared. She added that the Palestinian Authority is ready to take over administration of the Gaza Strip, which she described as a natural part of a unified Palestinian territory. mf