Speaking at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Rebelo de Sousa said the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was essential to guarantee “stability and sustained peace” in the Middle East.

“Common sense tells us to resume a credible negotiating process, taking into account all final status issues, including the Jerusalem issue, leading to a viable two-state solution based on the coexistence of peace and safety in Israel and Palestine,” he added.

Portugal’s president also referred to the situation in Syria which he said was“dramatic” and pointing to the fact that it had led to “one of the biggest refugee flows, in the region and outside it.”