Bulgaria supports strongly the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, stated Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov in Ramallah.

Mladenov headed for talks with the leadership of the Palestinian Authority after visiting Israel. Earlier on Wednesday he met with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres.

In Ramallah, Mladenov met with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad Al-Maliki with whom he signed a protocol for regular consultations, and invited him to visit Sofia.

“We hope for a long-term peace in the region keeping in mind Israel’s security concerns,” was the major message of Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister to the leaders in Ramallah, as cited by the ministry press office. He underscored Bulgaria’s traditional friendship with the Palestinian people.

“The Palestinian Authority endeavors to reach an agreement with Israel and to start living in peace with the Israelis. EU’s role is of major importance for the peace process in the Middle East,” Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told Mladenov.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister has pointed out in turn that this is why EU is becoming more and more active with respect to the situation in the Middle East and in Gaza in particular, as well as with respect to Iran and its nuclear program.

Mladenov has noted Egypt’s constructive role in the process of restoring the unity of the Palestinian national movement, and has reminded that the EU is considering the options to participate in the establishment of checkpoints to Gaza.

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