Mahmoud Abbas Urges EU Countries to Recognize State of Palestine

In a joint press conference with EU's Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, Abbas said the only way to achieve peace between Palestinians and Israelis is through negotiations under international supervision, World News reported.

He added that the EU is one of the most important partners contributing in the establishment of the institutions of the Palestinian state, through economic and financial support, stressing the importance of the EU’s political role in order to justly resolve the issues of the Middle East.

Abbas reiterated his commitment to fighting racism, violence, and extremism, on a local, regional and international level despite of any obstacles that might get in the way of a political solution.

He further called to implement the resolutions of the United Nations’ Security Council and General-Assembly on the ground.

Abbas added that the EU is a true peace partner in the region, calling on the EU countries to recognize the state of Palestine, a step which he stressed would not be an obstacle before peace negotiations.

“This would encourage the Palestinian people to keep hoping for peace and to wait until peace is brought about,” Abbas said.

He affirmed that Palestinians would “continue complying with the treaties that we signed,” calling on Israel to do the same.

Abbas also affirmed his determination to end the division and reach a national reconciliation to benefit the Palestinian people.

US President announced early December 2017 that Washington would be recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital, stressing that the United States would relocate the embassy in the occupied lands from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.

The move was hailed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.

Washington’s al-Quds move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the UN, world leaders from Europe to the Middle East to Australia, and even US allies in the West have criticized the bid, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in a statement issued following an extraordinary summit in Turkey's Istanbul, declared East Jerusalem the capital of Palestine "under occupation" and urged the US to withdraw from the peace process and back down from its Jerusalem decision.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution condemning Trump’s decision and called on states not to move their diplomatic missions to the sacred city. The UNGA vote followed the US veto of a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution.