Ashrawi of PLO Urges Slovenia to Recognize State of Palestine
Ramallah, MINA — Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi urged Slovenia to recognize state of Palestine, which she said will be a concrete expression of support for Palestinian freedom and right to self-determination, WAFA reported, citing a press statement by Ashrawi’s office on Wednesday.
On Monday, Ashrawi met with newly appointed Slovenian State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Simona Leskovar in Ljubljana during which she extended the Palestinian leadership’s gratitude to Slovenia for its historical ties with Palestine and for its consistent backing of Palestine in the international arena.
Since the Slovenian government has expressed its support for the recognition of Palestine, Ashrawi urged it to recognize Palestine in the foreseeable future: “Slovenian recognition of the state of Palestine will be a concrete expression of support for our freedom and right to self-determination, and it will serve as an important investment in a just peace and stability,” Ashrawi told her host.
Both parties also reviewed the latest political, international and regional developments.
Ashrawi provided a brief overview “of Israel’s persistent and egregious violations of international law and conventions and how the Israeli right-wing government has been emboldened by the US administration’s disastrous and unlawful moves and policies,” said the press release. In that context, she stressed the importance of governments worldwide to provide the Palestinian people with international protection and to ensure accountability for Israel.
The meeting also examined bilateral relations between Palestine and Slovenia and explored ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in various fields.
In addition, Ashrawi met with the President of the National Assembly Dejan ?idan at the National Assembly Building in Ljubljana.
“The discussion focused on the recent political and regional developments, including the recent irresponsible and reckless moves by the US administration and the so-called American ‘peace’ plan, Israel’s destructive policies and violations and the urgent need for European countries and members of the international community at-large to hold the Israeli government accountable,” said the statement.
The PLO official also conducted a meeting with President of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Palestine Matej Tasner-Vatovec and members of the group.
In her analysis of the latest political developments and Israel’s systematic violations of international law and conventions, Ashrawi stressed, “Such unlawful unilateralism requires serious and effective multilateral international action. We urge the Slovenian government to support our efforts in that regard and to play a proactive political role in order to guarantee an end to the military occupation and to establish the independent and sovereign state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
The meeting also reviewed relations between Palestine and Slovenia and explored ways to develop greater understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
It should be mentioned that Ashrawi invited all of the Slovenian officials to visit Palestine.
For the duration of her visit, Ashrawi was accompanied by Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations Offices in Vienna and Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Austria and the Republic of Slovenia Salah Abdel-Shafi. (T/RS1/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
