Egypt, UAE Call For Dialogue Over U.S. Mideast Peace Plan

Few hours after releasing US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, Egypt called on the two relevant parties, Palestinians and Israelis, to undertake a careful and thorough consideration of the U.S. vision to achieve peace and open channels of dialogue, under the U.S. auspices.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement late Tuesday urging reaching an agreement that satisfies the aspirations of both peoples to achieve a comprehensive and just peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

“Egypt appreciates the continuous efforts exerted by the U.S. administration to achieve a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue,” the statement read.

“Thereby contributing to the stability and security of the Middle East, ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

According to the statement, Egypt recognizes the importance of considering the U.S. administration’s initiative from the perspective of the importance of achieving the resolution of the Palestinian issue, thus restoring to the Palestinian people their full legitimate rights through the establishment of a sovereign independent state in the Palestinian occupied territories in accordance with international legitimacy and resolutions.

In the same context, The United Arab Emirates' ambassador to Washington said in a statement on Tuesday that the UAE believes Palestinians and Israelis can achieve lasting peace and genuine coexistence with the support of the international community.

Yousef Al Otaiba also announced the UAE's appreciation to continued U.S efforts to reach a Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement.

"The peace plan announced today offers an important starting point for a return to negotiations within a U.S-led international framework," the ambassador said.

U.S. President Trump has proposed the creation of a Palestinian state with a capital in East Jerusalem, in an effort to achieve a breakthrough.

Under the proposed plan, the United States will recognize Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank and in exchange, Israel would agree to accept a four-year freeze on new settlement activity while Palestinian statehood was being negotiated.