Mme Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke on 13 July to her Palestinian counterpart, Mr Riyad al-Maliki.
The ministers took stock of the situation in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories. Given the tensions, the [French] Minister reiterated the need to refrain from unilateral measures. She deplored the continued Israeli settlements policy, which goes against international law and jeopardizes the viability of the two-State solution.
Mme Catherine Colonna reaffirmed that France is fully mobilized, alongside its international partners, for a political perspective to be restored. She said that only the solution of two States living side by side in security within borders recognized by the international community, with both having Jerusalem as their capital, can lead to fair, lasting peace in the region.
The Minister welcomed the recent release of European financial aid to the Palestinian population, which France had played a fully active role in securing. She reiterated France's commitment to supporting the building of a future Palestinian State by deepening its bilateral cooperation in every area.