At meetings with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki in Ramallah on 30 November, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), stressed the importance of restoring the democratic legitimacy of the Palestinian institutions. Switzerland considers strong, inclusive and well-functioning Palestinian institutions to be essential to promote the rule of law and human rights, and to foster good governance.
The FDFA calls on all parties to resume their efforts to ensure free, inclusive and transparent elections throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem, as provided for in the signed agreements. A new date for the elections must be set without delay, in order to give the Palestinian people, of which an entire generation has grown up without elections, prospects for the future.
The FDFA remains ready to assist the parties in resuming dialogue and calls on all stakeholders to exercise restraint at this sensitive time. The search for a negotiated two-state solution in accordance with international law and internationally agreed parameters is one of the priorities of the Federal Council's MENA Strategy 2021–24.
Further information:
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
