German FM voices support for two-state solution as he arrives in Jerusalem with official visit
Israel’s plans to annex West Bank areas are incompatible with the international laws, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, reinstating Germany’s support for the two-state solution.
Maas stressed that now was the time for diplomacy and said his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi demonstrated Israel’s willingness to negotiate.
Maas also touched upon the issue of Iran, saying that it was now clear that the country was not complying with the 2015 nuclear deal, and the EU was using the dispute resolution mechanism in order to pressure Tehran into compliance.
Maintaining the amicable tone throughout the address, Maas stressed Berlin was not inclined to rely on threats to enforce its political standing.
The statements were made during his joint press conference with his Ashkenazi after Maas landed in Israel with an official visit.
Ashkenazi, in his turn, stressed that Israel will be responsible in implementing the peace plan outlined by US President Donald Trump, acting in close cooperation with Washington and maintaining Israel’s strategic ties and peace treaties.
The trip is the first time the German official leaves the EU since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic — and the first time a foreign dignitary visits Israel since the swearing-in of the new government.
It comes at a contentious time as Israel plans to hold a vote to apply its sovereignty to a number of areas in the West Bank as outlined under US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan.
More to follow