Denmark votes yes on the status of Palestine – Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release/Non-UN document

DENMARK VOTES YES ON THE STATUS OF PALESTINE

Press release
Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

29th of November 2012

Denmark votes yes, as the UN General Assembly upgrades the status of Palestine to Non-Member Observer State

Tonight an overwhelming majority of the world’s nations, including a large group of EU countries, voted in favor of the upgrade of Palestine’s status in the United Nations to Non-Member Observer State.

Danish Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal states:

“It is with great satisfaction that I, on behalf of the Danish government, welcome the voting results. Denmark was among the first EU countries that publicly announced it would vote in favor. We have thus, together with an overwhelming majority of the world’s countries, including all the Nordic countries and the majority of European Union countries, ensured the new and strengthened status for Palestine in the United Nations. This result is a moment of joy for President Abbas and all Palestinians.

From tomorrow, the momentum created by the General Assembly’s decision should be utilized where it really counts: at the negotiation table. Both President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu have previously stated they were ready to engage in meaningful negotiations on the two-state solution, which the people of Palestine and Israel deserve. Now these promises must be honored. There is no other possibility to achieve lasting peace, security and economic progress. Denmark will, in particularly with our European partners, work with determination to support the two parties in their way forward.