Barghouti says strong European support for the reconciliation agreement

The foreign ministers of Italy, Ireland and Luxembourg, along with the EU’s top diplomat, announced yesterday their strong and distinct support for the Palestinian reconciliation agreement, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouti said.

According to Palestine’s Al-Quds newspaper, Barghouti praised the European countries for their support, adding that the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has also expressed support for the agreement.

Italy’s Foreign Minister, Federica Mogherini reportedly praised the reconciliation, calling it “positive and very important”.

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said that his country supports the Palestinian reconciliation efforts.

Jean Asselborn, the foreign minister of Luxembourg, called on the EU to “cooperate with the Palestinian consensus government”.

And Ashton added that, “national reconciliation is an important element for the unity of a future Palestinian state.”

Barghouti said the European officials rejected Israel’s criticism of the national reconciliation efforts and stressed that the reconciliation agreement is “importance for peace”.

He believes the European position represents an achievement and will bolster Palestinian efforts to implement the agreement as well as help mobilise international support, pointing out that recent events suggest Israel will soon find itself isolated.