The Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomed the European-Arab ministerial meeting held in Cairo to discuss the Palestinian cause and peace in the Middle East.
On Monday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, France and Germany, known as the Munich Group, discussed "potential steps to advance the Middle East Peace Process" and work towards "re-launching a credible peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis."
Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riyad al-Maliki told Voice of Palestine radio station that the ministerial meeting is welcomed by the Authority.
Maliki said Palestine contacted the Munich Group, which aims to offer a substitute for the International Quartet, amid the absence of any political prospects to solve the Palestinian issue.
The minister believes the absence of the International Quartet will result in major political repercussions on the overall peace process, noting that the European-Arab move is required to resume negotiations in accordance with the international agreements.
He also stressed the importance of the open session of the UN Security Council scheduled for January 26 to discuss the situation in the Middle East, namely the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Tunisia and is expected to highlight the importance of the Palestinian cause, as well as Israeli settlements and violations, according to Maliki.
He added that the session is important because it will be held soon after US President-elect Joe Biden assumes power.
It could help revive the political process and discuss the Palestinian initiative to hold an international conference for peace, according to the minister.
Maliki explained that Tunisia was asked to increase the level of representation of member states in the Security Council to the level of foreign ministers, which signals the importance of the meeting.