UNITED NATIONS, New York
Palestine's Permanent Observer at the United Nations addressed a press conference on Palestine's application to participate in 15 international agreements on Wednesday.
Palestine's United Nations Observer, Riyad Mansur said that Palestine will continue to participate in the negotiations for a two-state solution to end Israeli occupation of Palestine and to strengthen foundations of the Palestinian State on an international platform.
“We are not looking for any conflict. We are using our rights and will not apologize for that. We have responsibility towards Palestinian people.”
Mansur commented on the Palestinian view of the release of prisoners with Israel and said, “However, Israel did not fulfil its obligation pertaining to the agreement. We are free to do whatever we want to do and feel. Following the approval of Palestine's status as an observer state by the UN General Assembly on 29 November 2012, this is our right under all circumstances.”
UN Secretary General's Assistant Spokesman Farhan Haq said that emphasis had been made on the continuation of the July 2013 negotiations under the auspices of the United States. The negotiation letter received from Palestinian Head of State Mahmud Abbas was signed on Monday evening in which he has pledged to continue the negotiation process.
Stating that they aim to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement on the final status Haq said, “We hope to find a way within the nine month time frame set for negotiations.”
Haq said the United Nations is in contact with both sides; UN Middle East Peace Process Special Coordinator Robert Serry has met with Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat and Foreign Minister Riyad Malki as well as Israeli Justice Minister and Chief Negotiator Tzipi Livni.
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