DUBLIN MEP Emer Costello has described Palestine’s new status as a non-member state observer in the United Nations as a “significant milestone in Palestinian ambitions for state- hood”.
DUBLIN MEP Emer Costello has described Palestine’s new status as a non-member state observer in the United Nations as a “significant milestone in Palestinian ambitions for state- hood”.
The Labour MEP was speak- ing in her role as chair of the European Parliament’s Dele- gation for Relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Welcoming the historic UN vote on Palestine, Costello said the move presents “a real oppor- tunity to re-state the case for two-state solution, to which Israel signed up in the Oslo Accords of 1993.”
In a statement, Costello called on the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to “restart negotiations leading to
the creation of a fully independ- ent Palestinian state, while ensuring that Israel is safe and secure within its own borders.”
She also urged the EU, as the single largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, to play a “central role” in working towards achieving a lasting peace in the region.
The UN vote followed a resounding vote in the most recent European Parliament ses- sion in support of Palestine’s UN bid, where almost 450 MEPs voted in favour to 113 against.
Costello also welcomed Ireland’s continued support for Palestine’s right to self-determi- nation, pointing out that only one EU member state – the Czech Republic – had opposed it.
