The newly-appointed UK Minister for the Middle East, Hugh Robertson, visited today the occupied Palestinian Territories as part of his first regional visit since his appointment. The Minister held meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a number of senior Palestinian officials during which he reiterated Britain’s strong support for ongoing peace negotiations. Mr. Robertson also expressed concern at the deteriorating situation on the ground and underlined the importance of building strong, effective and accountable institutions for the future Palestinian state. The trip was an opportunity to see the situation on the ground as well as progress in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and to strengthen further the ties between the British and Palestinian people.