Top Polish diplomat says he ‘wants to show the flag’ in Gaza, calls for 2-state solution
Remarks by Radoslaw Sikorski come as Pakistani top diplomat Ishaq Dar hosts his Polish counterpart in Islamabad during the latter’s two-day visit
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski
ISLAMABAD
Poland’s top diplomat, Radoslaw Sikorski, on Thursday said his country “wants to show the flag” in the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza, while backing a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East.
Sikorski made the remarks at a joint news conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, in Islamabad.
“We recognize that Gaza needs a structure of governance and that it needs the help of the international community in securing basic security for its inhabitants, so that reconstruction may begin, and I believe both Pakistan and Poland will support that effort," Sikorski said during his two-day trip to Pakistan.
In reference to the task force as underlined in the US plan for Gaza, Sikorski said his country also “wants to show the flag,” without providing further details.
"There's a tradition of Poland and Pakistan participating, side by side, in UN peace missions,” he said, highlighting past cooperation in overseas missions.
“This idea,” he continued, speaking about the US plan, “is more of an Arab-Islamic initiative, but Poland will also want to show the flag at least, show our support for the peace efforts of (US) President (Donald) Trump and others, for the fighting to stop and for people to be able to recover from this horrible situation.”
Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza calls for a temporary stabilization force to train and support Palestinian police forces, though details have yet to be finalized.
"I believe Poles and Pakistanis will be on the same side again in an operation that is important for everyone," Sikorski added.
A ceasefire is currently in place in the Palestinian enclave after two years of war that killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians and destroyed the territory.
Sikorski arrived in Pakistan on Thursday. This marks his second official visit to the country; his first took place in 2011.
During the visit, he and Dar discussed bilateral issues, including enhancing cooperation in trade, defense, and other sectors.
Poland, Sikorski said, is interested in a “stable and prosperous South Asia."
"We welcome all the efforts of Pakistan, both regional and global, that help achieve this," he said.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
