Blanar: Two-state Solution Remains Only Sustainable Path to Lasting Peace

New York/Bratislava, 24 September (TASR-correspondent) – The two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the only sustainable path to achieving lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar declared at a meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York on Thursday. The event was held on the sidelines of the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, TASR learnt from its special correspondent on the same day. "Both nations have the right to live in peace and security, which is why, like the majority of our international partners, we remain convinced that the two-state solution is the only sustainable path," Blanar said. He described the Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza, endorsed by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2803, as an important instrument. Despite other crises unfolding around the world, the actual implementation of the peace plan must remain an urgent priority, Blanar underlined. He said it was essential to properly uphold the ceasefire and take steps that would not further undermine prospects for a two-state solution. At the same time, he highlighted the need for Hamas to disarm and for further phases of the peace plan to move forward. Blanar pointed to the continuing serious humanitarian situation in the region and the suffering of civilians. "Since the Hamas terrorist attack, Slovakia has provided the region with financial and material humanitarian assistance, including medical evacuations of critically ill child patients. We have provided scholarships to students from Gaza, mainly in the medical field, with the aim of helping to build the capacities needed for a resilient society," Blanar noted. He added that attention must also be focused on a plan for the early reconstruction of Gaza, as well as on bolstering and reforming the Palestinian Authority. mf