Palestine’s future is not looking bright, especially as the Middle East peace process has been put on the back burner, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella said today.

He was speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in setting up of small and medium businesses with his Palestinian counterpart Riad Malki.

“I’m sorry to say but Palestine's future prospects are not looking positive,” he said.

Dr Vella said talks to find a solution to tensions between Israel and Palestine had lost their verve when the situation in Ukraine first erupted last year. The issue remained secondary as complications arose in North Africa, and migration had now taken centre stage, he said.

Mr Malki shared the sentiment saying he too was not optimistic about the future.

He said the Israeli government had not shown any interest in deescalating matters.

He said he was grateful for the support it had in Malta, particularly when Palestine turned to the international community for support.