Riyadh, April 30, 2024, Riyadh was the stage for a pivotal coordination meeting initiated jointly by Saudi Arabia and Norway on Monday, focused on bolstering efforts toward implementing the two-state solution and formally recognizing the State of Palestine. The meeting, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, gathered European ministers to engage in dialogue and strategic consultations aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza and advancing the political trajectory required for a lasting resolution.
During his address, Prince Faisal extended a warm welcome to the European ministers in attendance, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to discuss tangible steps necessary to de-escalate the situation in Gaza. Central to these discussions was the imperative of advancing the two-state solution, a crucial element being the formal recognition of the Palestinian state, a long-awaited measure that holds significant weight in the peace process.
The meeting also provided a platform for addressing recent distressing developments, such as the discovery of mass graves at the Nasser Medical Complex, which Prince Faisal condemned as a stark violation of humanitarian norms and a grave indicator of the disregard for fundamental human rights. He further warned against the potential consequences of a military invasion in Rafah, southern Gaza, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian fallout it would trigger and the broader destabilizing impact on the region.
Prince Faisal reiterated a comprehensive commitment to finding a lasting solution to the conflict, stressing the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the urgent need for international recognition of their statehood. He praised European nations that have expressed willingness to formally recognize Palestine, seeing this as a significant stride toward achieving regional security and stability.
The meeting drew participation from a broad spectrum of foreign ministers and representatives, including those from Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, as well as numerous European nations such as Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, representatives from the European Union and the Arab League contributed to the robust discussions, reflecting a concerted international effort to navigate toward a peaceful resolution in the region.
