Meeting with Ambassador Husam Zomlot

At a time where the situation of the question of Palestine is in a critical juncture, Ernst Stetter, Secretary General of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, had the honour of meeting Ambassador Husam Zomlot, Ambassador-at-large of Palestine, deputy commissioner for international relations of Fatah, and personal representative of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting, which was also attended by Vassilis Ntousas, FEPS International Relations Policy Advisor, was held at the FEPS office and formed part of Ambassador Zomlot’s official visit to Brussels upon the invitation of the S&D Group in the European Parliament. 

The meeting offered a chance to discuss joint initiatives of collaboration with Ambassador Zomlot as a way to strengthen the strategic dialogue amongst all the actors involved in the conflict. Recognising the role of FEPS in enhancing the bonds that exist between the progressive forces within Europe and across the world, it was decided to proceed with a closer co-operation between FEPS and a Palestinian counterpart, such as the Palestine Strategy Group, as a concrete step forward towards providing a progressive intellectual bridge between Europe and Palestine. 

What is more, the meeting also offered an ideal opportunity to be updated on the political status quo concerning the Middle East Peace Process as well as the present and future of the EU-Palestine Relations. The discussion during the meeting evolved primarily around the issue of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, taking stock of developments on the ground in the past few months, but crucially also touched upon the goals, scope and means of involvement of the European Union in its relationship with Palestine.