Uganda, Palestine to promote Arab-African interests
Jan 07, 2012
President Yoweri Museveni and President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine have said there is need to invest more enough effort in rebuilding Africa Arab relations, adding that they would work towards redirecting these relations based on trust, development and cooperation.
By Vision Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni and President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine have said there is need to invest more enough effort in rebuilding Africa Arab relations, adding that they would work towards redirecting these relations based on trust, development and cooperation.
The two presidents met on Saturday at State House in Entebbe.
“This is a very good idea and we shall work on it. There is a lot of potential in this. Once we recognize and appreciate each other’s differences, we live in peaceful relationships that recognize diversity,” Museveni said.
Museveni reiterated Uganda’s principled position of support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination according to the two-state solution to exist side by side, security and prosperity.
President Yoweri Museveni greeting Mahmoud Abbas the President of Palestine at State House Entebbe on 7th Januray 2012
Abbas who arrived in the country on January 6 commended the Uganda for the many great achievements made in economic development, consolidation of democracy, peace, stability in the country and the region.
He called for increased support of Uganda towards the creation of an internationally recognized, sovereign and independent state of Palestine.
Abbas who was accompanied by Dr. Riyad Malki the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Palestinian Ambassador to Uganda Zuhair Al-Shun,expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation.
During their bilateral talks, the two leaders discussed Middle East issues, and expressed concern over the continuing Israel-Palestinian conflict which has affected millions of people and fuels insecurity and instability in the region. They were however encouraged by the efforts of the Quartet for a meeting in Amman Jordan.
President Yoweri Museveni talking to Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestine at State House Entebbe on 7th Januray 2012
The two leaders later witnessed the signing of a joint communiqué by Uganda’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Asuman Kiyingi and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine Dr. Riyad Malki in which the two countries expressed their commitment to develop further, the existing cordial relations between the two peoples and establish a framework of cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic and social fields.