Merkel meets Palestinians’ Abbas for talks in Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas address a statement before talks at the Chancellery in Berlin on August 29, 2019. (AFP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, shake hands after a joint statement prior to a meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (AP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas arrive to address journalists before talks at the Chancellery in Berlin on August 29, 2019. (AFP)

• Merkel stressed her support for a two-state solution ahead of talks Thursday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
• Germany is one of the biggest donors to the Palestinians having given them some 110 million euros ($121.8 million) in 2018

BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany continues to believe a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinian is the only way for both peoples “to live in peace and security.”
Merkel stressed her support for a two-state solution ahead of talks Thursday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Chancellery in Berlin.
Abbas said, “we appreciate Chancellor Merkel’s efforts to create multilateral cooperation aside from unilateral solutions to create stability and peace in the world.”
He stressed the importance of Germany’s role in the Middle East and thanked the country for its financial support for Palestinians’ health services, education and the strengthening of civil society.
Germany is one of the biggest donors to the Palestinians having given them some 110 million euros ($121.8 million) in 2018.