US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan
TT

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

The US State Department Regional Spokesperson, Erica Chiusano, said that Washington was ready to support direct dialogue between Palestinian and Arab leaderships - who opposed the US peace plan, known as the “deal of the century” - and Israeli officials.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Chiusano noted that the proposed US vision of peace offered a realistic solution based on the establishment of two states and provided a verifiable path that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, in which the legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine to independence, autonomy, and national dignity would be achieved through a peace agreement with Israel.

“We ask the Palestinian leadership to get to know the details of this vision of peace, and to study it fully,” she stated.

She noted that if Palestinians had fears about parts of the plan, the US would encourage them to contribute to direct negotiations with the Israelis and express their specific objections at the negotiating table.

Chuisano stressed that the absolute rejection of the plan would only perpetuate the desperate status quo and would not help shape the optimal solution that the world would offer to the generations of Israelis and Palestinians, who have been suffering for decades because of this ongoing conflict.

The US spokesperson went on to say that her country has provided “the best and most realistic solution” for the parties, adding that it was now up to the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to discuss and negotiate the basis of that vision.

“The United States is ready to provide broad assistance to facilitate a final peace agreement,” she emphasized.

On Iran, Chuisano highlighted the continued US policy of maximum pressure campaign, based on economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and military deterrence.

The United States has withheld the funds of the Iranian regime used to finance terrorism, and it targets sources of export revenue that Tehran may use to finance and support its nuclear program, to develop missiles, and to fund its terrorist proxies, as well as its malicious regional influence, she affirmed.



Brazil’s Foreign Minister: Relations with Saudi Arabia Have Grown Stronger

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Brazil’s Foreign Minister: Relations with Saudi Arabia Have Grown Stronger

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi-Brazilian relations have strengthened, particularly in political and economic cooperation, since Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office as Brazil’s president in January 2023, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira affirmed.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Brazil’s top diplomat noted that the economies of Saudi Arabia and his country complement each other well, and that they are just starting to unlock their full potential.

According to Vieira, there are many opportunities for growth in areas like trade, investment, logistics, food security, and renewable energy.

Vieira also mentioned that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, alongside the Gulf-Brazil ministerial meeting, he held talks with Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih.

Investment is an area where the Kingdom and Brazil are just starting to explore significant untapped potential.

Vieira also emphasized the importance of Al-Falih’s visit to Brazil last year, where he led a large Saudi trade delegation.

The Brazilian minister described his recent meeting with Al-Falih in Riyadh as “very productive,” adding that both sides are optimistic about the future of ties between Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.

Discussing the Gulf-Brazil ministerial meetings in Riyadh, Vieira reaffirmed that his country was honored to join a high-level dialogue with Gulf countries this year, marking a historic step in its relationship with the GCC.

During the meetings, Vieira held talks with the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Kuwait, and also visited Oman to meet its foreign minister to discuss common interests.

On Brazil-GCC ties, Vieira noted that there is strong political will to build strategic cooperation, as shown by the outcomes of recent meetings.

Vieira emphasized the growing partnership between Brazil and the GCC, saying that Brazil’s special invitation this year reflects the commitment to deepen relations, with the private sector playing an increasing role in finding new opportunities.