“There is real consensus on the two-state solution as the only solution to the conflict,” Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said at the end of the two-day meeting.
Mr Vieira said all members of the group of the world's largest economies had raised concerns about the war in Gaza and the risk of wider conflict in the Middle East.
He said there had been calls for a ceasefire and access to Gaza for humanitarian aid, while “many” countries criticised Israel’s military offensive in Rafah.
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell speaks to the press as he arrives for a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium February 19, 2024. Photo: REUTERS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition government largely oppose the creation of a Palestinian state. However, Washington, Israel's main ally, maintains that a two-state solution is the only viable way to bring lasting peace to the region, but has rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire from several countries, including Brazil.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he found “common ground” with G20 members on Gaza, despite the US vetoing a UN Security Council resolution on the conflict this week for a third time, reflecting growing international frustration with US support for Israel.
At a press conference after the G20 meeting, Blinken said ending the conflict was a shared goal and the way to achieve that goal was through a deal the US was helping broker between Israel and Hamas on the release of hostages.
“There may be tactical differences and there may be differences on this Security Council resolution, but we are trying to focus on actually getting results,” Blinken said.
The meeting, which sets the agenda for the G20 group, which Brazil is hosting this year, discussed current tensions in the world, focusing mainly on the fighting in Gaza and Ukraine.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said earlier there was consensus on the need for a two-state solution in Israel, supported by all parties attending the meeting.
“Everyone here, everyone, I have not heard anyone against that. There is a strong demand for a two-state solution. That is the consensus between us,” Mr Borrell told reporters. “There will be no peace… there will be no sustainable security for Israel unless the Palestinians have a clear political prospect of building their own state.”
Mai Van (according to Reuters)
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