GERMANY: Country regrets EU did not vote unanimously in UN Palestine decision

Record ID: 327853

  • Title: GERMANY: Country regrets EU did not vote unanimously in UN Palestine decision
  • Date: 30th November 2012
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 30, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF REICHSTAG BUILDING, SEAT OF THE GERMAN BUNDESTAG (PARLIAMENT) DEPUTIES IN HALLWAY OFFICIAL LOOKING ON GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER GUIDO WESTERWELLE WALKING PAST (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "It is regrettable that the European Union was unable to find a common position for the vote." TV REPORTER FOLLOWING DEBATE IN PLENARY HALL ON MONITOR (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "The United Nations decision is a mission to take up direct peace talks between the parties in the Middle East. This decision must be a reason for renewed direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis for a two-state solution to become possible." MEN IN DISCUSSION (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "Our goal is and remains a fairly negotiated two-state solution. Only that can bring permanent peace and stability to the region." MEN IN DISCUSSION
  • Embargoed: 15th December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4RXBECI1C7AJDWQ0IKCCDK17I
  • Story Text: Hours after the 193-nation U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Friday (November 30) it was "regrettable" that Europe did not vote with one voice.
    There were 138 votes in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions. At least 17 European nations voted in favour of the Palestinian resolution, including Austria, France, Italy, Norway and Spain. Abbas had focused his lobbying efforts on Europe, which supplies much of the aid the Palestinian Authority relies on. Britain, Germany and others chose to abstain.
    Before the vote, Westerwelle explained Germany's position, calling it "a very balanced decision."
    He said Germany acknowledged "the justified desire of the Palestinian people for their own state" and the awareness "of our special responsibility towards Israel and a peaceful and stable development in the region."
    Westerwelle also said the vote was "a mission to take up direct peace talks between the parties in the Middle East. This decision must be a reason for renewed direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis for a two-state solution to become possible," Westerwelle said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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