Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday met with German
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle to discuss the latest developments in
the peace process.
According to the official PA news agency
WAFA, Abbas and Westerwelle focused on the upcoming round of talks
planned for Wednesday in Jerusalem.
Abbas, for his part,
affirmed the Palestinian commitment to achieve a comprehensive and just
peace through negotiations, with the goal of achieving an independent
state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The PA president condemned
the recent Israeli decision to publish tenders for 1,187 new Jewish
homes over the pre-1967 lines, denouncing the ongoing settlement
activities as a whole, WAFA reported.
Westerwelle echoed his sentiment, condemning "the continued construction of illegal settlements," Israel Radio reported.
The foreign minister emphasized Germany's support for the peace process and its preparedness
to provide the Palestinian people with support to build institutions of
the future Palestinian state.