Foreign minister discusses Middle East conflicts with Israeli ambassador

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Syrian war topped the agenda during a meeting between Foreign minister George Vella and Israeli ambassador for Malta Oren David.

The Arab Peace Initiative, was discussed by the foreign minister and David. The initiative attempts to end the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict, by normalising relations between the entire Arab region and Israel, in exchange for Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, and a "just settlement" of the Palestinian refugee crisis.

The 2002 initiative, sponsored by the Arab League, is backed by the Palastinian Authority, but Hamas, the elected government of the Gaza Strip, is deeply divided, with most factions rejecting the plan.

Although a number of Israeli officials have responded positively, the Israeli government rejected the initiative, saying it was a "non-starter

During the meeting Vella and David discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the situation in Syria and North Africa.

Vella explained that the EU was monitoring the situation closely and exploring aid programmes.

During the meeting the two countries expressed their desire for stronger relations and discussed the possibility of President George Abela and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat visiting Israel in the near future.