'Erekat calls on EU to recognize a Palestinian state'

Ahead of EU foreign ministers' meeting, top Palestinian negotiator quoted as saying move would "provide protection for the principle of two states."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Saeb Erekat 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Saeb Erekat 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
Top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Monday called for the EU to recognize a Palestinian state, according to an AFP report.
He said that such a move would "provide protection for the principle of two states as well as for the peace process."
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Erekat's comments came in response to a statement to be issued by EU foreign ministers following a meeting in Brussels. The statement is expected to say that the “EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties. This could include agreed territorial swaps. A way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states. The EU calls for an agreed upon, just, fair and realistic solution to the refugee question.”
According to a draft copy of the statement obtained by The Jerusalem Post, the resolution states that the “council reiterates its readiness, when appropriate, to recognize a Palestinian state,” but stops well short of threatening to do so if one particular deadline or another is not met.
Herb Keinon contributed to this report