Merkel reaffirms two-state solution for Palestinian-Israeli conflict

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict as Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas visited Berlin.

At a press conference ahead of her meeting with Abbas, Merkel told reporters that a political solution would have the goal of ensuring that both the Palestinians and the Israeli people live in peace and security.

This is only possible through a two-state solution, "even if this goal seems to be getting harder to reach," said Merkel.

Merkel said Palestinians had a right for economic and socially prosperous lives, and that offering economic development perspectives was key for this process.

As the biggest bilateral international donor to the Palestinian territories, Germany will continue to support economic development and strengthening civil society there, added the German Chancellor.

Abbas said Palestinians are prepared to negotiate a two-state solution within the borders from 1967. He regretted the policies of the United States for taking Israel's side on a series of issues, saying it would not help create peace and security in the Middle East.

"This is why we are demanding that there be negotiations under an international umbrella," Abbas said, adding that a group of countries from both Europe and the Arab world should mediate between Israel and the Palestinians.