(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) The European Parliament on Wednesday gave
its support to recognition of the Palestinian state 'in principle,'
but said that it should go 'hand in hand' with peace talks between
Israelis and Palestinians, dpa reported.
The parliament is the latest in a string of legislatures to tackle
the question of whether the Palestinian state should be officially
recognized. It cannot force EU countries to recognize Palestine, but
its stance on the matter was seen as having symbolic importance.
Lawmakers voted 498-88 in favour of a compromise text that says the
parliament supports 'in principle recognition of Palestinian
statehood and the two-state solution, and believes these should go
hand in hand with the development of peace talks, which should be
advanced.' Of the lawmakers, 111 abstained.
Some political groups in the legislature, which has deputies from all
of the EU's 28 countries, had sought stronger language - recommending
among other things unconditional recognition for the Palestinian
state.
Nabil Shaath, a senior aide of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,
nevertheless welcomed the parliament vote as a 'historic decision,'
referring to it as an expression of support for Abbas.
The Luxembourg parliament on Wednesday endorsed two motions asking
the government to recognize Palestinian statehood.
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