BEIJING (Sputnik) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed in a telephone conversation the Palestine-Israeli conflict and agreed that a two-state principle is the only solution to the situation, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Monday.
The leaders believe that avoiding further deterioration of the situation between Israel and Palestine is paramount, and the fundamental solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to implement a two-state principle, the broadcaster reported.
Xi and Macron agreed to continue cooperation on international and regional issues of mutual interest, to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the world, the broadcaster reported.
Xi also said that Beijing was ready to strengthen its cooperation with Paris, including in the UN format.
"China is ready to strengthen its cooperation with France in the UN format as well as by means of other international mechanisms," the Chinese leader was quoted as saying by CCTV.
Xi expressed his hope that France would "play a constructive role in promoting positive development of relations between China and the EU." He also said he hoped that Paris would provide a fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies investing in France.
"We invite more French companies to invest in China. We hope that the French side will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in France," Xi was quoted as saying by CCTV.
Macron, for his part, said that France was ready to facilitate further development of the strategic partnership between China and the European Union.
"The French side is ready to facilitate further development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the European Union and China based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation," CCTV quoted the French president as saying.
The discussion of the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict comes as a delegation of top diplomats from the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan meet in Beijing to discuss ways to put an end to it.