Austria calls for resumption of Middle East peace talks
09:37, December 15, 2009 
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Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann urged Israel and Palestine to resume their peace talks as soon as possible, during a meeting with Israeli Vice Premier and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Vienna on Monday.
During the meeting, Faymann pointed out: "Distrust between the two sides must be eliminated quickly to conclude the negotiations stalemate," according to a press release from the government.
He added: "Austria will follow European Union partners to actively promote the peace process."
Faymann also requested Israel to terminate all border blockades at Gaza, so that all urgently required essential goods for life could be allowed to enter into this region.
Faymann is scheduled to visit Syria from Dec. 22 to 23, meeting the 380 Austrian soldiers stationed in Golan as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force.
Barak arrived in Vienna earlier on Monday, as the first Israeli Defense Minister to pay an official visit to Austria. Before the meeting with Faymann, he also talked with Austrian Defense Minister Norbert Darabos, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Austrian President Heinz Fischer.
With regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Darabos announced at a press conference held after the official meeting: "Austria will unequivocally support the two-state solution."
Barak said that Israel would also be willing to negotiate with Palestine and accept the solution of the establishment of two states and mutual peaceful coexistence.
According to a press release from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Austrian Foreign Minister Spindelegger warned that regarding the current peace process in Middle East, "its deadlock is destroying people's hope and is exactly (what) the extremists want."
Therefore, "a termination of Israel's illegal immigration policy, the achievement of a sustainable internal understanding in Palestine and a convincing stop of violence were the indispensable prerequisites to promote a genuine peace process," said Spindelegger.
Source: Xinhua
During the meeting, Faymann pointed out: "Distrust between the two sides must be eliminated quickly to conclude the negotiations stalemate," according to a press release from the government.
He added: "Austria will follow European Union partners to actively promote the peace process."
Faymann also requested Israel to terminate all border blockades at Gaza, so that all urgently required essential goods for life could be allowed to enter into this region.
Faymann is scheduled to visit Syria from Dec. 22 to 23, meeting the 380 Austrian soldiers stationed in Golan as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force.
Barak arrived in Vienna earlier on Monday, as the first Israeli Defense Minister to pay an official visit to Austria. Before the meeting with Faymann, he also talked with Austrian Defense Minister Norbert Darabos, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Austrian President Heinz Fischer.
With regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Darabos announced at a press conference held after the official meeting: "Austria will unequivocally support the two-state solution."
Barak said that Israel would also be willing to negotiate with Palestine and accept the solution of the establishment of two states and mutual peaceful coexistence.
According to a press release from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Austrian Foreign Minister Spindelegger warned that regarding the current peace process in Middle East, "its deadlock is destroying people's hope and is exactly (what) the extremists want."
Therefore, "a termination of Israel's illegal immigration policy, the achievement of a sustainable internal understanding in Palestine and a convincing stop of violence were the indispensable prerequisites to promote a genuine peace process," said Spindelegger.
Source: Xinhua
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