The Malta Labour Party expressed its satisfaction at the ceasefire agreement reached by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The party also congratulated Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah for hosting and co-sponsoring the summit held in the past days.

In a statement signed by the MLP spokesman for foreign affairs Leo Brincat, the MLP said that the agreement is a step in the right direction for a Palestinian state to live in peace alongside Israel. The fact that the two sides said that the agreement opens a new era shows their commitment for long-term planning.

The MLP also noted with satisfaction that the United States has promised the Palestinian Authority help in various sectors such as housing, infrastructure, education and health. It is also pleased with Mr Mubarak’s statement that this agreement could pave the way for an eventual peace between Israel and both Syria and Lebanon. This agreement ought to serve as the foundation for better relations between Israel and Egypt too.

The fact that Israel and the Palestinian Authority had agreed to set up joint committees shows that they are putting into practice what they had agreed upon at Sharm el-Sheik, which now deserves the title of City of Peace as it is known in the Middle East.

While not wanting to sound too optimistic, the MLP said the agreement was the first step towards a lasting agreement after the peace talks had been stopped for four years.