STRASBOURG, September 20, 2011(WAFA) - Labour Member of European Parliament (MEP) Proinsias De Rossa today wrote to EU High Representative Cathy Ashton and all 27 EU Foreign Affairs Ministers urging them to back President Abbas in his efforts to establish the right of the State of Palestine to a seat at the UN, Tuesday said an EP release.

The release said that the call, co-signed by five MEPs from various political groups in the European Parliament (EP), is backed by 168 MEPs who support the EP declaration calling for the EU to back a seat for Palestine in the UN.

 This is a critical issue for the success of the non-violent political and diplomatic strategy of President Abbas and Prime Minister Salem Fayadd in achieving an end to the Israeli -Palestinian conflict and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it said.

Palestinians are still waiting for peace more than 20 years after the PLO accepted that the borders of the State of Palestine would be based on the 1967 Green Line, and consist of only of 22% of Historic Palestine. Palestinians have the same rights to a democratic and prosperous future as the people of Egypt, Syria, Libya, Tunisia and the Yemen.

The EU must be consistent in its support for democracy and non-violent action in favour of democracy in the region. This is a critical moment for the Middle East. The actions taken now by the EU and indeed the United States will affect our relations in that region for a generation or more. Indeed it is no exaggeration to say that the peace of the region hangs in the balance, it concluded.

Below is a Copy of the letter sent to Ashton and EU foreign ministers, as well the MEPs who co-signed it:

Dear Ms Ashton, Dear Ministers

“We the undersigned members of the European Parliament urge you to assist President Abbas in every way possible in the coming days at the UN to achieve UN recognition for the State of Palestine We draw your attention to the fact that so far 168 MEPs from virtually all the political groups in the European Parliament have signed a declaration calling for the EU to support a seat for the Palestinian State in the UN. The Declaration continues to be open for signature and we have no doubt that many more will sign in the coming days. This is a critical moment for the Middle East. The actions taken now by the EU and indeed the United States will affect our relations in that region for a generation or more. Indeed it is no exaggeration to say that the peace of the region hangs in the balance.”

Sincerely,

Proinsias De Rossa MEP (S&D Group)

Jim Higgins MEP (EPP Group)

Alexandra Thein MEP (ALDE Group)

Margrete Auken MEP (Greens/EFA Group)

Patrick le Hyaric MEP (GUE/NGL Group)

F.R.