RAMALLAH, August 30, 2011 (WAFA) - PLO Executive Committee Member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, stressed the importance of Denmark’s support for Palestine’s application for UN membership, and urged Denmark’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

PLO Department of Culture and Information said in a press release that Ashrawi today met with a Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation to discuss the PLO’s intention to seek admission as a member state of the United Nations this September.

The delegation was headed by the Permanent Secretary of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Mr. Claus Grube.

During the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi stressed the importance of Denmark’s support for Palestine’s application for UN membership, and urged Denmark’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

“Denmark has long been at the forefront of support for international law and human rights. As September approaches, it is important that the Danish government maintain its principled position and support Palestine’s membership to the United Nations,” Dr Ashrawi said.

Dr. Ashrawi said that the prolonged bilateral negotiations process had run its course. A return to more of the same would lead only to the same failures that have plagued the last twenty years of negotiations, and further endanger prospects for peace.

“September signifies a new and corrective approach to peace based on multilateralism and international law. It is both a responsible and constructive move intended to redress the serious shortcomings of the “peace process” and its failure to put an end to illegal and unilateral Israeli measures, including settlement activity and other violations of international law. Bilateral negotiations became a way for Israel to perpetuate its occupation with impunity. This move to the UN provides an alternative that will help restore hope and prevent a breakdown and a breakout of violence.”

Dr. Ashrawi stressed that the right of Palestinians to self-determination, freedom and dignity was non-negotiable, and that Palestinians were well within their rights to pursue these within the international community and under international law.

“Whether individually or in the context of the EU, Denmark can make a positive and substantive contribution to peace by its favorable UN vote, and its recognition of a Palestinian state,” Dr Ashrawi concluded.