EU socialists call unity 'brave step' toward recognition
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Ma'an) -- The Party of European Socialists and the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament issued a joint statement Sunday welcoming Palestinian unity as a "brave step" on the path to recognition of statehood by the EU.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen voiced "support [for] the Palestinian reconciliation agreement and call for the recognition of the unity government."
The official, whose party politically represented in the directly elected European Parliament, at governmental level in the European Council and Council of Ministers, and in the Committee of the Regions, put the unity move in context with political change and reform across the Middle East, saying it was a move toward democratic representation of a people.
"This very important political agreement must now proceed to ensure the recognition of a Palestinian state, within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as capital, as well as a total freeze on the building of settlements for a veritable perspective to the peace process," he said.
Martin Schulz, leader of the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament, said: "We have always encouraged and supported reconciliation. This deal makes it possible for Palestinians to end internal divisions, speak with a single voice and continue on the peaceful path towards a Palestinian state.
"The agreement to form an interim government is an important step forward. The subsequent elections must be free and fair and the democratic wishes of Palestinian voters must be respected by the international community. The accord may give fresh momentum to efforts for a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians with two states living side by side in peace and in security.”
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday that officials would examine the unity agreement and discuss next steps with European officials.
The EU had earlier declined a request to recognize a Palestinian state in the pre-1967 borders, saying it would do so at the appropriate time.
Cyprus recognized a Palestinian state over the winter, as Palestinian Authority officials pressed world leaders for recognition, saying the institutions of a state would be complete by September 2011.