Ramallah – Prime Minister’s Office - Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, met in his office in Ramallah, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot where they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and the region.

During the meeting, they addressed efforts to end the Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza, which has now entered its second year, as well as the escalating Israeli occupation and settler attacks in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Mustafa stressed that the Government's top priority is to stop the genocidal war against the Palestinian people and to ensure the provision of all necessary relief and emergency aid for Gaza. The Government is also focused on unifying, enhancing, and developing institutional performance, improving the overall conditions for the Palestinian people, while working towards achieving financial and economic stability.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state, and that the Government remains committed to fulfilling its responsibilities toward the Strip despite the financial blockade and Israeli deductions from Palestinian clearance funds.

Mustafa pointed out that Israel seeks to turn the West Bank into another Gaza Strip through its incursions into northern West Bank governorates, sieges, infrastructure destruction, killings, detentions, and military checkpoints and closures.

He also stressed the importance of France recognizing the State of Palestine and supporting Palestinian efforts to end the occupation and realize the establishment of the independent Palestinian state.

Mustafa praised French President Macron's recent statement in which he stressed the need to halt arms exports to Israel during its war on Gaza, considering it a positive step toward finding a political solution to end the conflict.

For his part, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated France's continued support for Palestine, both directly and through the European Union. He emphasized his country’s commitment to exerting efforts and engaging in diplomatic contacts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and de-escalation throughout the broader region.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, and French Consul General, Nicolas Kassianides.