Ways forward that could help progress towards the eventual settlement of issues between Palestine and Israel, especially following the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, were discussed in a meeting between Foreign Minister George Vella and his Palestinian counterpart Riad Maliki.
The two ministers held a bilateral meeting during the third European Union - League of Arab States ministerial meeting, held in Athens.
Dr Maliki gave an account of the current status in the negotiations between Palestine and Israel, and gave his assessment of the situation in the Middle East.
Both ministers agreed that the EU could and should be instrumental in the peace process. Dr Vella expressed his willingness to help promote the process within the European Foreign Affairs Council.
Dr Vella agreed to visit Palestine later this year.