LOC17:16
14:16 GMT
Palestinian Presdient Mahmoud Abbas with EUI HR Federfica Mogherini
BRUSSELS, Jan 22 (KUNA) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged Monday the European Union (EU) to recognize the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
"We call on EU member states to swiftly recognize the State of Palestine. We affirm that there is no contradiction between recognition and resumption of negotiations," he told a joint press conference with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in Brussels ahead of an informal meeting with EU foreign ministers.
He explained that this recognition "would encourage the Palestinian people to hoping for peace and will open the doors to peace."
Abbas condemned the cut to aid for UNRWA without mentioning the US which announced last week a massive cut to the UN refugee agency.
He underlined Palestine's commitment to all UN resolutions and said he will continue to work for inter-Palestinian re-conciliation.
On her part, Mogherini reiterated the EU's position to support the two-state solution to resolve the Palestine question.
She also assured Palestinians for the continued EU support including financial support. (end)
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