Recognition of a Palestinian state: the EU is trying to remain united

Last Updated on Friday, 2 September 2011 11:13 Written by Sandeep Nehra Friday, 2 September 2011 11:13

The European Ministers of Foreign Affairs explored on Friday in Sopot (Poland) how to develop a common position to avoid tearing the UN on the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Time is running out. The UN General Assembly opens September 13 in New York, and the Palestinians, given the impasse in the talks are with Israel, announced that they were preparing such a request.

They hope to obtain full membership of their State to the UN and the recognition of Palestine on the lines of June 4, 1967, before the Six Day War, or the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

The Palestinians, however, face opposition from the United States which threaten to derail the Palestinian request using their veto in the Security Council. An application for UN membership must be approved by the Council.

On this issue, “a unified position of the European Union is crucial,” stressed the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere on his arrival in the Polish seaside resort.

Israel’s leading economic partner and largest donor of aid to the Palestinians, Europe must be “able to continue to play the positive role it played in the Middle East (…) and the key to this c is unity, “said Mr. Vanackere.

The French Alain Juppe said feared a diplomatic confrontation “sterile and dangerous” to the UN, arguing also that the 27 to define a common position.

It is not won. In recent months, some countries like Germany and Italy have criticized the Palestinian approach, others such as Spain have supported it. Britain and France have kept their options open.

Friday, upon arrival at Sopot, Dutch Uri Rosenthal reiterated be “totally opposed to any unilateral steps whatsoever”, while Israel has threatened Palestinians in retaliation if they file an application .

The German Westerwelle also said his opposition to an approach “unilateral”.

In contrast, the Luxembourg Jean Asselborn said that they could “not give nothing to the Palestinians”, calling for a solution “median”, which would give “dignity” to the Palestinian people.

One solution might be to grant them the status of non-member state with observer status, like the Vatican. “The Palestinians would then have various options to be better integrated into UN organizations,” said Mr. Asselborn.

This formula – if they got the approval of two-thirds of the members of the Assembly – would allow them to become a full member of all UN agencies such as WHO (World Health Organization health), UNESCO, UNICEF.

Seeking to delay, the head of European diplomacy Catherine Ashton, who returned from a tour in the Middle East, said that there was “still no text on which we should take a stand.”

“The Palestinians will have to decide what resolution they intend to submit” to the UN, she noted.

The Europeans hope is that the Palestinians agree not to raise the bar too high, says a diplomat on condition of anonymity.

He said the EU could adopt a “proactive” in offering itself to the Palestinians formulations acceptable to the majority for their resolution.

If they refuse, “we could also threaten to make our own resolution” on the issue, Judge said.