EU Parliament President, Hans-Gert Poettering, Says Relations with Israel linked to Acceptance of a Palestinian State

EU leader: Israel relations linked to Palestinian state

Date: 03 / 06 / 2009 Time: 10:37
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, suggested this week that the EU may impose conditions on its relationship with the Israeli occupation government if it refuses to accept a Palestinian state.

In an interview with the German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt on Monday, Poettering said that he wants to increase cooperation with Israel, Turkey, and Ukraine in the areas of foreign affairs, counterterrorism, and environmental protection.

“We have well-regulated relations with Israel. [...] they can be a privileged partner for the European Union. Various depends on how they [conduct] their politics,” said Poettering.

He also said, “We want to ensure peace in the Middle East based on a two country solution: Israel as a state with assured borders, as well as Palestine. The European Union will not accept an Israeli rejection of founding a Palestinian state."

Poettering was speaking in advance of the 7 June EU Parliament elections. The remarks also came two days after the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, demanded that Israel halt construction of illegal West Bank settlements.

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