France to Recognize Palestinian State if No Breakthrough is Made

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius — Jordan’s King Abdullah II speaks with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

Amman, 0 Rabil Akhir 1437/30 January 2016 (MINA) – France said on Friday it would recognize a Palestinian State, if its intended push to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict failed.

“France will engage in the coming weeks in the preparation of an international conference bringing together the parties and their main partners, American, European, Arab, notably to preserve and make happen the two-state solution,” French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius said.

If this last attempt at finding a solution hits a wall, “in this case, we need to face our responsibilities by recognizing the Palestinian state,” the French minister said.
He added that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France had a responsibility to try to keep up efforts to find a two-state solution.

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The comments come amid repeated efforts by France to bring Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) back to the negotiating table, i’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Petra.

France last year introduced an initiative for a UN Security Council resolution that would force Israel into an 18-month negotiation period with the PA. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)