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Madrid Meeting Statement Calls for Israel’s Full Withdrawal from Gaza

Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares (C) addresses a press conference with (From L) European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borell, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi following a meeting on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Madrid on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares (C) addresses a press conference with (From L) European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borell, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi following a meeting on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Madrid on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
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Madrid Meeting Statement Calls for Israel’s Full Withdrawal from Gaza

Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares (C) addresses a press conference with (From L) European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borell, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi following a meeting on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Madrid on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares (C) addresses a press conference with (From L) European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borell, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Jordanian Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi following a meeting on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Madrid on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

Several Muslim and European countries meeting in Madrid have called for the implementation of the two-state solution in the Palestinian-Israeli crisis and for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, including from the Philadelphi corridor.

Other than the host Spain, in attendance were foreign ministers from Norway and Slovenia, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and members of the Arab-Islamic Contact Group for Gaza that includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Nigeria and Türkiye.

A statement issued following Friday’s meeting said: “We fully support the ongoing mediation efforts undertaken by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and we reject all actions aiming at hindering this mediation process” to end the war in Gaza.

“We are calling repeatedly for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees. We also call for the reestablishment of the full control of the Palestinian Authority over the Rafah crossing and the rest of the borders and the full withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from Gaza, including from the Philadelphi corridor,” said the statement.

It said that “the international community must take active steps to implement the two-state solution, including universal recognition of the State of Palestine, and its admission as a full member of the United Nations.”

The conferees also called for the urgent need to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.

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Arab World

Pezeshkian Calls from Basra for ‘Unity’ in West Asia

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows President Masoud Pezeshkian receives a traditional robe as he attends a community ceremony during his visit to the Iraqi city of Basra on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows President Masoud Pezeshkian receives a traditional robe as he attends a community ceremony during his visit to the Iraqi city of Basra on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
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Pezeshkian Calls from Basra for ‘Unity’ in West Asia

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows President Masoud Pezeshkian receives a traditional robe as he attends a community ceremony during his visit to the Iraqi city of Basra on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows President Masoud Pezeshkian receives a traditional robe as he attends a community ceremony during his visit to the Iraqi city of Basra on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

On the final day of his visit to Iraq, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for “union” among West Asian countries to protect their interests, similar to the European Union.

Pezeshkian concluded his three-day tour of Iraq on Friday with a visit to Basra, the oil-rich southern province. He was received at Basra International Airport by local officials, including Governor Asaad Al-Eidani and Provincial Council President Khalaf Al-Badran.

Addressing tribal leaders and politicians at the Oil Cultural Center in Basra, the Iranian president said: “We have always been together, and we must unite again to ensure our scientific and economic progress.”

“We see how European citizens can travel seamlessly across France and other European countries. Why can’t we in this region travel easily between West Asian countries?”

Pezeshkian stressed the importance of advancing the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project, as a key step toward strengthening bilateral relations.

The president arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday and signed 14 MoUs with the federal government covering trade, training, labor, and religious tourism.

Meanwhile, a government official has denied reports that Iraq and Iran discussed a new mechanism for settling Iraq’s debt to Iran.

However, diplomatic sources revealed on Friday that Iraq had informed Iran of its commitment to repaying the debt without breaching US sanctions on Tehran.

Iraq compensates Iran for the gas it imports for electricity generation by depositing funds in non-Iraqi banks, with transactions monitored by US authorities. According to the sources, the Iraqi government “did not respond to Iranian proposals to alter this payment mechanism.”

Local and regional media reported that Iraq rejected an Iranian proposal during Pezeshkian’s visit to settle the debts using either the Iraqi Dinar or the Iranian Rial.

Sources noted that this Iranian proposal is not new and is often dismissed due to US sanctions. One source explained: “The matter is highly complex and sensitive, and the restrictions cannot be bypassed.”

Iraq relies on Iranian gas imports to meet its energy needs. However, paying off the debt has been challenging due to sanctions, leading to substantial arrears.