Malta's position: a strong EU-US partnership

Addressing the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, which met in Malta, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo stated that the only solution for achieving peace in the Middle East region is to accept a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

Frendo added that such a solution cannot be imposed on the parties concerned, but "we need to discuss, negotiate and conclude, without allowing violence to distance the parties from a peaceful solution".

Dr Frendo also stressed: "The European Union and the United States need to work together much more for a solution in this region. There needs to be a strong EU-US partnership in achieving this aim. It is achievable.

"We must not stop believing that it is achievable. Referring to the Middle East initiative announced by the EU trio Spain, Italy and France, Dr Frendo said that this idea should not be "thrown away with the bath water".

"It provides the added value of monitoring of a ceasefire along the Gaza-Israeli border, emulating the to-date successful exercise in Lebanon. "Suggesting an international mission to monitor Gaza is based on the need to kickstart a peace process which is bogged down in great difficulties."