RAMALLAH, June 14, 2011 (WAFA) – European Union parliament president Jersy Buzek said Tuesday that Israel’s security is a top priority calling on Palestinians not to do anything that would undermine that, including state declaration, which he described as unilateral act.

Buzek, speaking at a press conference with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah, said the EU is opposed to Palestinian attempts to get United Nations recognition of an independent state in September.

“Such a decision could be helpful only if done through negotiations,” he said, adding that “unilateral declarations could be dangerous,” and “could make some difficulties in the future.”

“For Israel, the most important thing is its right to exist and to live in security,” he said.

Fayyad said that while his government’s institution building efforts were the only thing he would call “unilateral,” describing them as “constructive unilateralism,” Israel’s settlement construction and occupation, on the hand, are “destructive unilateralism,” he said.

He stressed that the goal behind the Palestinian efforts is not to win recognition of a Palestinian state, which was done in 1988, rather it is to bring an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip started in 1967.

“Ending the Israeli occupation requires a credible political process able at ending the occupation,” he said. “We are looking for a genuine, fully sovereign state of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is what we want; not another declaration.”

Buzek said he also was against occupation. “We do not accept occupation,” he said in defense of his pro-Israel position. He said he had visited the Gaza Strip on Monday, where he saw the dismal conditions there as a result of the five-year-old Israeli land, sea and air blockade.

“I know a stop of the Gaza blockade is absolutely necessary,” he said.

Buzek said he supports Palestinian reconciliation, but that the EU insists that any Palestinian government should accept Israel’s right to exist, renounce violence and accept all agreements signed with Israel.

Fayyad said the reconciliation is the most important thing for him expressing hope the new government will be announced this week.

He said in an answer to a question about Hamas opposition to him to be the next prime minister of the unity government that if there was a consensus between Fatah and Hamas on him, he will accept it. If not, he will not get in its way.

M.A.