28 Nov 2023 | ‘Annapolis has given us reason for hope and optimism about a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians,’ said European affairs minister Frans Timmermans said at the end of the Middle East conference held in Annapolis (US) on 27 November.

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Abbas (left) and Olmert Photo: NY Times / HH

‘The Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas have made a number of clear overtures,’ said Timmermans. ‘This is an important new step towards a lasting peace in the Middle East. But there is still a long way to go. It is a complicated process.’ Minister of foreign affairs Maxime Verhagen, who was unable to attend the conference, is pleased at the result. ‘The presence of the European Union, Russia, China, the United Nations and all the major Arab countries, including both Saudi Arabia and Syria, shows that there is widespread support for the peace process.’