The presence of the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in Atreju, Mahmoud Abbas, “shows that Italy, despite the crisis in the Middle East, can still be central and a protagonist on the difficult road to peace, stabilization and building the vision of two peoples and two states.” This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, introducing President Abbas to the audience in Atreju.
“You know how much energy, how much difficulty, how much work, how much discussion and how much suffering there was around the crisis in the Middle East. I am very happy that Abbas is here tonight,” the prime minister continued. “With the presence of President Abbas on the stage in Atreju today, justice has been done for the many lies we have heard about the actions of the government in Gaza,” Meloni added.
Il caloroso benvenuto di Atreju al Presidente della Palestina, Mahmoud Abbas. pic.twitter.com/XB6iGKtlo3
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) December 12, 2025
“The Palestinian National Authority appreciates Italy’s commitment to the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis,” Mahmoud Abbas said on stage in Atreju. “I appreciate the opportunity to be here; it confirms the depth of the friendly relations that connect our two countries, which are based above all on mutual respect,” he continued. “Italy has always supported our institution-building efforts, cooperated in the training of the Palestinian police, not to mention the humanitarian aid provided to our people, medical care for children and Italy’s participation in the EUBAM mission,” the Palestinian president added.
“We want an independent state that lives in security alongside Israel,” Abbas said. “Our strategic direction is based on a stable peace based on a two-state solution. Palestine can achieve independence in the territories defined in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in a sovereign state capable of safely coexisting with Israel,” he added.
“Recent events have shown that the absence of a Palestinian state is not only a historical injustice, but also the cause of instability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean,” the PNA president emphasized. The absence of a sovereign Palestinian state “encourages extremism and violence and affects the security of Europe and Italy. We distinguish the legitimate right of every state to security from what constitutes the continuation of occupation and violently imposed policies that do not contribute to security,” Abbas said.
“In the vision of the state promoted by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), weapons remain exclusively in the hands of legitimate institutions,” Abbas continued. “We want a state based on the rule of law and its transparency, according to the principle of ‘one law, one government’. We are determined to advance this vision. Numerous countries have recognized Palestine, 160 to be exact. This is an investment in peace and is not the result of bias towards one side or the other,” the Palestinian president concluded.
(Vijesti.ba)
