Luxembourg, Palestine Foreign Ministers Discuss COVID-19, Legislative Elections

On Tuesday 20 April 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine, Riad Malki, met with his Luxembourg counterpart during a working visit to Senningen Castle in the Grand Duchy.

The working meeting was an opportunity for Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, and Palestine's Foreign Minister Riad Malki to exchange views on bilateral relations and the main international topical issues, including the peace process in the Middle East. They also discussed the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections.

The ministers first took stock of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as international efforts to overcome this global challenge. Minister Jean Asselborn recalled that the European Union (EU) had sent 61,440 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the Palestinian National Authority through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) mechanism. He stressed that "we must continue to ensure that the vaccines are distributed in a safe and fair around the world. We know that no one will be safe until everyone is safe”.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, Minister Jean Asselborn recalled that Luxembourg provides continuous support to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, including through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Luxembourg's Foreign Minister added that he was proud that a Luxembourg policewoman was selected to participate in the EU Police and Rule of Law Mission for the Palestinian Territory (EUPOL COPPS).

Regarding the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to territorial jurisdiction over Palestine, Minister Jean Asselborn stressed that the ICC is an independent and impartial judicial institution which does not pursue any political objectives. He recalled that Luxembourg is a fervent defender of the ICC and its independence.

Finally, Luxembourg and Palestine's Foreign Ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on the Palestinian legislative elections, scheduled for 22 May 2021. Minister Jean Asselborn welcomed the holding of these elections - the first in Palestine in sixteen years.

"The fact that 93% of eligible voters have registered shows the strong desire for democratic participation of the Palestinian people" noted Luxemourg's Foreign Minister. "The elections must be able to be held in the whole of the Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem". He recalled that "the candidates must be allowed to campaign freely without being disturbed, nor fearing arrest by the occupation authorities”. Minister Jean Asselborn also pointed out that the result of fair, free and transparent elections must be respected.