Italy calls for the rapid 'birth' of a Palestinian state

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday, during a meeting in Rome with her Israeli counterpart, that resuming the peace talks is “essential” to the “birth” of a Palestinian state, along with “guarantees” to Israel’s security, Anadolu news agency reported.

Mogherini was meeting with Avigdor Lieberman, who is also scheduled to meet with representatives from both houses of the Italian parliament.

“Restarting the peace process is essential to promptly bringing about the birth of a Palestinian state, along with security guarantees for Israel,” Anadolu quoted Mogherini as saying.

She added that Italy is ready to take a role in the promotion of peace talks that lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state along with guarantees for Israel’s security.

“Italy is ready to contribute to such a process,” the Italian foreign minister affirmed.

Mogherini, who attended the Gaza donor conference held in Cairo over the weekend, said that the talks with Lieberman concentrated on the importance of the success of the peace process.

“The international community pledged at the conference to rebuild the Gaza Strip, but only the success of the negotiations will ensure a lasting stabilisation and avert the risk of new crises,” she stressed.