Merkel praises Abbas for easing pressure on Palestinian statehood

Jan 19, 2012, 17:25 GMT

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday in Berlin for easing off pressure on major nations to recognize Palestine as a state.

Germany, which opposes statehood without Israeli consent, has quarrelled with EU allies who favour the move.

'We have differing points of view about whether it makes sense to have recognition of a Palestinian state: yes or no. But that allows us to act in unity on the issue of getting the matter up for negotiation,' said Merkel with Abbas at her side after talks.

'President Abbas has said that as far as he is concerned, this can be postponed for a certain period, and that what it really is about is peace and a two-state solution and borders,' she said.

Abbas has been in Berlin for two days of meetings with senior officials, including a guard-of-honour welcome and lunch with Germany's President Christian Wulff, although Germany does not recognize the Palestine Authority as a state under international law.

He earlier assured the speaker of Germany's parliament that he would be open to a compromise on issues of Israel's security, sources close to the speaker, Norbert Lammert, said.

Abbas would allow Israeli forces to remain on Palestinian territory for a three-year period, together with NATO peacekeeping forces, after a peace treaty, they said. But Abbas flatly rejected Israeli demands to keep forces in the territory for 40 years.

'He (Abbas) has recognized that security is an important point,' said Merkel, urging a resumption of full talks broken off 16 months ago.

Abbas visited London earlier this week and is to visit Moscow next week, briefing the powers on the progress of Israeli-Palestinian talks in Jordan on terms to resume peace negotiations. A fourth such meeting is set for January 25.

'Time is of the essence. It would be a great gift if we could have some progress,' Merkel said. 'We're in a situation where both sides are willing to speak to one another, and for many months that was not the case. We want to use this opportunity.'

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