Brussels, 27/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 27 September, MEPs held a lively discussion on Palestine's request to the United Nations. They also denounced Israel's decision to continue resettlement in Jerusalem, announced the same day.
The S&D, ALDE, GUE and Greens/EFA Groups gave their support to the request made by President Abbas for Palestine's bid for statehood to be accepted by the United Nations, and called on High Representative Catherine Ashton to take action, while acknowledging the work that she has already accomplished. Georgios Toussas, speaking on behalf of GUE, said they wanted immediate and unconditional recognition of the state of Palestine. On behalf of the ALDE Group, Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck urged Catherine Ashton and member states to ensure that Palestinians enjoy the best status possible by the end of the current General Assembly at the latest, while supporting a lasting peace agreement. Belgian Socialist Véronique De Keyser felt it was unthinkable for Europe to tell Palestinians that the Arab spring was not for them. She said their courage should serve as an inspiration when defending a stance with European governments. Representing the EPP, José Ignacio Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra supported the proposal put forward by Nicolas Sarkozy, saying it was an “absolute solution”. Charles Tannock (ECR) sounded a dissonant note, however, saying that the declaration by Abbas was “premature”, and that the solution would only be found through negotiation. And, in such negotiation, the EU high representative would like the EU to carry more clout. “I want to defend a greater role for the EU”, she said, saying it must play a role of conflict prevention. Ashton went on to recall the Quartet's proposals for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. (CG/transl.jl)