Palestine, Australian FMs discuss boosting bilateral ties

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki discussed with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop ways of boosting bilateral ties.

This came during a meeting held between the two top diplomats in Canberra.

Also, they touched on the issue of providing political and economic support for Palestine and its official institutions in various fields.

During the gathering, Maliki called on the Australian government to back Palestinian political and diplomatic efforts at the international forums and rapidly contribute to reconstructing the Gaza Strip as well as qualifying Palestinian cadres.

He briefed the Australian minister on the latest developments in Palestinian territories in the light of the ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and its property.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is throwing away all requirements of the peace talks by moving ahead with establishing more settlements in the Palestinian territories, attacking Islamic and Christian holy sites and arresting many Palestinians despite the international condemnations to these Israeli practices, he added.

He urged the Australian government to have an active role in exerting more pressure on the Israeli government to stop its settlement policy in the Palestinian lands that puts an end to the two-state solution.

Also, they tackled the regional situation and challenges facing many Arab countries, including Syrian, Iraq, Yemen and Libya.

The two foreign ministers stressed the necessity of combating all forms of terrorism and extremism.

For her part, Bishop said that her country is strongly backing the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and it will continue providing support for Palestine.