The bilateral talks focused on the the issue of the Middle East Peace Process and solutions to the harsh humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as well as the current situation on Palestinian Territories.

Minister Zaorálek assured his counterpart about Czech Republic’s commitment to the two-state solution. At the same time he conveyed to him his impressions of his recent visit to the Gaza Strip. In this context, he appealed to him to solve the challenging humanitarian situation, which may become a breeding ground for various forms of radicalism and extremism. “Any future Palestinian government in Ramallah must be more active in solving the complicated humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," said Minister Zaorálek. 

“There is no alternative to returning to the peace process and steady move towards the two-state solution. It is also necessary that the new Palestinian government starts peace talks with Israel without any preconditions and accepts the principles of the Middle East Quartet – that is full recognition of the State of Israel and its right to exist and embracing the politics of nonviolence. It must also stop the policy of anti-Israel incitement”, stressed Minister Zaorálek.  

Minister Zaorálek further recalled that Palestine is one of the priority countries which the Czech development cooperation is focused on. The Czech Republic built successful projects for energy infrastructure, for increasing agricultural production or for electrification of schools and hospitals there . In cooperation with the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) the Czech Republic provides people in Gaza strip with humanitarian assistance in form of food or elementary health and social care.

During the visit, the very first meeting of the Czech-Palestinian Joint Ministerial Commission led by both Ministers took place. Other government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture or the Ministry of Industry and Trade were represented by their Deputy Ministers.

One of the outputs of the ministerial meeting is the signing of the Joint Declaration, in which both sides declared their interest in strengthening mutual cooperation in political and economic fields and in meeting in the same format biannually.