Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed on Friday that France and Saudi Arabia are charting an irreversible path to peace in the Middle East. In a statement on his X account, Macron welcomed the UN General Assembly's adoption of the "New York Declaration," which aims to give renewed impetus to the two-state solution. The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Friday in favor of the two-state solution.

Macron said: “Today, under the leadership of France and Saudi Arabia, 142 countries have adopted the New York Declaration on the implementation of the Two-State Solution. Together, we are charting an irreversible path towards peace in the Middle East. France, Saudi Arabia, and all their partners will be in New York to make this peace plan a reality at the Conference on the Two-State Solution,” he said.

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution, 10 days before the summit to be held at the United Nations in New York on September 22. Macron and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman will co-chair the summit. Macron said in his X statement: “Another future is possible. Two peoples, two States: Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. It is up to all of us to make it happen!”

It is noteworthy that French President Macron announced earlier that his country would recognize the State of Palestine during the General Assembly meetings held from September 9 to 23. Since then, more than a dozen Western countries have announced they will follow France's suit, including Belgium, Malta, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Finland, Luxembourg, Canada, and Germany.

Riyadh and France co-chaired the first two-state solution conference last June, with broad momentum and global consensus on a "just" settlement to the Palestinian issue.