EP-president Buzek erkent legitimiteit Palestijnse aanvraag VN-lidmaatschap (en)

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek i made the following statement on the occasion of today's resolution of the European Parliament with regard to the application for membership of the United Nations by the Palestinian Authority:

"The European Parliament recognises the legitimate demand of the Palestinians to become a member state of the United Nations. We reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

To be effective, the establishment of a viable Palestinian state must be the outcome of a mutual and comprehensive peace agreement. The bid for recognition by the Palestinian Authority must hence lead to the immediate re-launch of peace talks, within a defined timeframe, as proposed by the Quartet on 23 September.

Following the tremendous changes brought by the Arab Spring, all the more the status quo is not a viable option. The time for peace is now.

The Palestinian drive for statehood is also a challenge to our Common Foreign and Security Policy. I call upon all EU member states to rally behind a common position. Only united, we will carry weight."