Abbas asks France to recognize ‘Palestine’

Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday met French President Emmanuel Macron in Ramallah to discuss the latest developments in the peace process and regional affairs, the Xinhua news agency reports.

During the meeting, Abbas expressed hope that France will recognize a Palestinian state.

Abbas highlighted France’s role in “saving the political process from the stalemate caused by Israel’s intransigence,” the PA chairman was quoted as having told Macron.

“We are serious about holding parliamentary and presidential elections in the Palestinian territories, including occupied Jerusalem,” he added.

“We look forward to the recognition of the European countries that believe in the two-state solution, and France’s recognition of the state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” said Abbas, as quoted by PA’s official Wafa news agency.

For his part, Macron reaffirmed his country’s support for the peace process in the region on the basis of the two-state solution.

France will continue to support the Palestinian people in building their institutions and economy, added Macron.

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