Spanish steps towards recognizing Palestinian State
Palestine-Israel-Spain, Politics, 8/23/2011

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Trinidad Jimenez said on Sunday that achieving the support of the majority of the European Union countries for the UN Bid is considered "an advancement in the recognition of a Palestinian state, which is now the time to do so."

WAFA reported that in an interview with El Pais daily newspaper, Jimenez said that "we have worked on having the majority in the EU that will support the recognition of a Palestinian state, which is a common goal shared by all countries, as part of the solution to the conflict in the Middle East."

"Even Israel accepts the two-state solution, this is the goal that we have been looking for years ago, and I think at the moment there is some kind of maturity to move a step forward in that direction. It's true that if there are no negotiations between Israel and Palestine, it will be difficult to practice a formal recognition on the ground; thus we call for a dialogue between the parties to discuss the impact of this recognition; the capital, the refugees and the boarders...etc," she said.

She said "There is a feeling that now is the moment to do something, to give the Palestinians the hope that their state can become a reality. We know that it's a very prolonged conflict and very difficult to solve in months; it is a very crucial moment."

"We have to give some kind of signal that if the Palestinians don't gain the recognition, it can generate frustration among them. The Palestinians as well want to be part of the democratic and liberty experienced in the Arab world."

She added "Going to the United Nations (UN) can not be considered as a hostile act against anyone; It's the body that legitimately represents us all. It is a lot better to use international legal measures than any other alternative. I sincerely think that when the Palestinian Authority (PA) resorted to such a path, it is because it knows that this is the best way to reach peace. This is how we explained it in a number of occasions to the Israeli authorities and I hope that we continue doing so."

She said "The consensus in the EU is desirable. An EU majority would be even more useful in favor of the PA. But first we must know the content of the resolution that will be submitted to be voted on and debate it at the EU. This is something that the PA itself understands."

She added that "there are three elements that all EU partners share; first the recognition of the two-state solution. Second, the need to provide guarantees to Israel's security and third is going back to the negotiations. All what we vote for should reunite these three conditions."

On September 2, the E.U.'s foreign ministers will meet in Poland. Among the issues to be discussed, the Syrian crisis and the Libyan war. But the most sensitive issue will be the recognition of a Palestinian state, which will be voted for in the U.N. Security Council and U.N. general assembly.

Twenty six E.U. foreign ministers will attend the meeting, who will be divided, some against others in favor. The Spanish foreign minister and cooperation calls for achieving at least most of the EU countries support of the recognition.

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