Minister Ahern welcomes formation of Palestinian national unity Government

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, has welcomed the formation of the Palestinian national unity Government, which was approved by the Palestinian Legislative Council today.

Minister Ahern stated:

“The formation of a Palestinian national unity government, based on the agreement reached in Mecca on 8 February, is a positive development.  It is a tribute to the efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to create a political consensus in Palestine and end the violence in the Occupied Territories and in Israel.  There is now a significant opportunity, which should not be lost, to build a real momentum for lasting peace.

In the coming days and weeks, the Government will work for a positive and creative response by the EU.  We must be ready to work with President Abbas and with the new Government, on the basis of an active commitment to a two-State solution.  There must also be a clear end to all violence.  The new Palestinian Government needs to do everything possible to achieve the immediate release of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Corporal Shalit.  Israel should also immediately release all detained Palestinian legislators.

The urgent challenge now is the resumption of a credible political process which will   provide lasting peace and security to the Israeli and the Palestinian people”.