The Sheikh receives the Consul General of the Kingdom of Belgium to Palestine and discusses with her political developments and the situation

Ramallah - Ofoq News - His Excellency the Vice President of the State of Palestine, Hussein Al-Sheikh, received today, Thursday, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Belgium to the State of Palestine, Ambassador Annick van Kalster, and the Deputy Consul General, Ms. Nadia Benini, to discuss the latest political and field developments, and a number of issues of common interest.

During the meeting, the Sheikh reviewed the difficult political, security and economic conditions taking place in the West Bank and Jerusalem, in light of the continuing settler attacks, settlement expansion, and Israeli measures targeting citizens and their property, in addition to the continued detention of Palestinian funds, and the resulting difficult economic and living repercussions on our people and on the ability of the Palestinian government to fulfill its obligations.

The two sides also discussed the ongoing preparations for the Palestinian electoral entitlement, and the Sheikh stressed the importance of holding the elections in accordance with the approved legal and constitutional frameworks, in a way that guarantees their integrity and transparency, and enhances Palestinian democratic life and the unity of the political system and national institutions. In the same context, the Sheikh appreciated the positions of the Kingdom of Belgium in support of the Palestinian people, stressing the importance of continuing cooperation and joint coordination, and supporting efforts aimed at protecting the Palestinian people, strengthening their steadfastness, and empowering their national institutions.

The meeting discussed the continuation of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, and the disastrous humanitarian conditions it left behind. The Sheikh stressed the need to intensify international efforts to stop the war, alleviate the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip, ensure the arrival of humanitarian aid, and begin recovery and reconstruction efforts, in a way that preserves the unity of the land, the people, and the Palestinian political system.

For her part, the Belgian Consul General affirmed her country's continued support for the Palestinian people, and its keenness to continue cooperation with Palestinian institutions, and to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.