Essebsi announces 30th Arab Summit as "Determination and Solidarity Summit"

TUNIS, March 31 (MENA) - Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi Sunday announced terming the 30th ordinary Arab Summit as the Summit of Determination and Solidarity.

In his address after receiving the summit chairmanship from Saudi King Salman Bin Abdel Aziz, the Tunisian president reiterated the need to determine deficiencies in the joint Arab action and rearrange priorities.

"Saving the region from tension spots has become an essential matter that cannot be delayed. The Palestinian issue should be a priority in the joint Arab action and highlighted in the international arena. It is necessary to send a message to the international community that reaching security and stability in the area and in the entire world is done through a just settlement of the issue and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the borders of 1967 and based on international legitimacy resolutions, the Arab peace initiative and the two-state solution," he said.

Golan Heights is an occupied Arab land with the recognition of the international community, he said, asserting the need to exert efforts to end the Israeli occupation of the area and reach stability at the security and international levels.

He praised the outcome of the Arab-European Summit held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in February, saying it has paved the way for a new phase of cooperation between Europe and the Arab world.

Essebsi also said that the Arab file is in the heart of his country's foreign policy.

"Our Arab world does not lack mechanisms of joint action, nor human and financial resources," Essebsi told the inaugural session of the 30th regular Arab Summit, which kicked off Sunday.

He also touched upon Arab unity and integration that unfortunately could not prevent escalating problems that drain political, security and development potentials of the Arab people.