AMSTERDAM, June 30, 2011 (WAFA) – Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, in a speech he delivered at the Dutch Parliament, said “we have recognized Israel’s right to exist on the 1967 lines. I hope the Israeli government will reciprocate by recognizing the state of Palestine on 1967 borders.”

Abbas said, “I would like to reiterate our commitment to the two-state solution, the state of Palestine long living in peace and security side by side with the state of Israel.”  “We have to achieve our objective through negotiations, void of violence. For this we call upon the Israeli government to accept the terms of reference, including president Obama’s principle of two-state solution based  on the 1967 borders with mutually agreed swaps and the cessation of settlement activities.”

Abbas said, “Our main option is negotiations and I hope that the U.S., the E.U., Russia and the UN Quartet will succeed in their efforts to resume the negotiations.”

He added, “In seeking admittance of the state of Palestine on 1967 lines, we are not trying to isolate or delegitimize Israel, on the contrary, because we cannot have the Israeli government accept the terms of reference and to stop settlement activities, we will pursue our attempt to gain the admittance of the state of Palestine as a member of the UN in order to preserve the two-state solution.”

Today Palestine has the recognition of 117 nations, I hope those who have not recognized the state of Palestine to live side by side in peace and security with the state of Israel, will do so as soon as possible, said Abbas.

Abbas stressed that he is fully committed to democracy, transparency, accountability, human rights, freedom of expression, as well as to the principles of one authority, one gun and the rule of law.

He reiterated his commitment to a Palestinian government of technocrats and independent personalities on the basis of his program; two states and agreements signed with Israel.

Regarding the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, Abbas said that “reconciliation is our only way to the two-state solution, and the ballots boxes. Negotiations are under my jurisdiction and of the PLO, and not the government.”

About the recent changes in the Arab world, Abbas said that democracy and peace are the way to stability and prosperity.

Abbas thanked Fred Graaf, President of the Senate, and Gerdi Verbeet, President of the House of Representatives saying, “I am honored to speak to you today, and I appreciate very much this opportunity. I would like to express my gratitude to the Netherland’s assistance to the Palestinian authority and people in our Endeavour to complete the institution building of the state of Palestine.”

T.R./F.R.