Ministry of Foreign Affairs

JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ

ISSUED AT THE END OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO UGANDA OF

H.E MAHMOUD ABBAS, PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF PALESTINE

(6^TH – 7^TH JANUARY, 2012)

1.         At the invitation of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine paid an official visit to Uganda from 6^th- 7^th January, 2012.

2.         President Mahmoud Abbas was accompanied by Dr Riyad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Zuhair Al-Shun, Palestinian Ambassador to Uganda and Senior Government Officials.

3.         President Yoweri Museveni was accompanied by Hon. Asuman Kiyingi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Muruli Mukasa, Minister for the Presidency and Minister of Kampala Capital City Authority and Senior Government Officials.

4.         In a warm and cordial atmosphere, the two Presidents held friendly discussions and exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional, African, Middle East and International issues of common interest.

5.         President Abbas commended the Uganda Government for the many great achievements made in economic development, consolidation of democracy, peace and stability in Uganda and in the region.  President Museveni on his part welcomed President Abbas and his delegation most warmly to Uganda and commended him for the long and untiring efforts of the Palestinian people towards the achievement of economic development, democracy, unity, peace and security in a sovereign state of Palestine. 

6.         On bilateral issues, the two Presidents expressed their commitment to develop further the existing cordial relations between the two peoples and establish a framework of cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic and social fields.

7.         On Middle East issues, the two Presidents expressed concern over the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has affected millions of people and fuels insecurity and instability in the region.  They were encouraged by the efforts of the Quartet for a meeting which took place recently in Amman, Jordan and will be resumed on January 9^th, 2012.

8.         President Museveni reiterated Uganda’s principled position of support for the right of the Palestinian People to self-determination according to the two-State Solution where the State of Israel and a State of Palestine exist side by side in peace, security and prosperity.  President Abbas called for increased support of Uganda for Palestinian political and diplomatic efforts towards the creation of an internationally recognized, sovereign and independent State of Palestine. 

9.         President Abbas expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation by the Government and people of Uganda during his historic and memorable stay in the Country.

DONE IN KAMPALA ON 7^TH JANUARY, 2012