OIC-European Parliament Discuss Illegality of Israeli Settlements

Brussels, MINA – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Parliament (EP) jointly organized at the latter’s headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday a symposium on “The Expansion of the Israeli Settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territory, Particularly in East Jerusalem.”

The meeting attended by countries’ representatives, including EU parliamentarians, legal experts, journalists, diplomats, and activists, reflected the collaborative spirit and willingness of OIC and EU to promote dialogue, partnership and cooperation, in fulfillment of the shared responsibilities towards common challenges, including the Palestinian question, UNA reported.

Permanent Observer of the OIC to the EU Ambassador Ismat Jahan underlined in her opening address that the cause of Palestine is a fundamental and critical issue for the Pan-Islamic Organization.

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Also speaking at the opening session, Ambassador Abdalrahim Alfarra of the Mission of Palestine in Brussels stressed the importance of implementing relevant resolutions and agreements concerning the two-state solution with all its implications.

Director of Palestine and Jerusalem Affairs Ambassador Ali Goutali addressed the meeting on behalf of the OIC General Secretariat. He expressed OIC’s gratitude to the EU Parliament for co-organizing and hosting the event, which provided an opportunity to have an open and constructive debate about the Israeli illegal settlements, as a major obstacle to the two-state solution.

The OIC urged, in the statement, the EU to play an active role in inspiring and launching a multilaterally sponsored peace process, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

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The Organization also indicated that recognizing the State of Palestine by EU countries and supporting its accession as a full-fledged member to the UN, would help attain the required objectives, in pursuit of the two-state solution as well as peace and stability in the region.

Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Director of the Arab Studies Society’s Mapping and Geographic Information Systems Department Khalil Tufakji, and EP members also spoke as panelists.(R/R04/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)