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It is vital that sovereign State of Palestine is achieved: Ban Ki-moon
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says it is vital that a sovereign State of Palestine is achieved on the basis of the 1967 lines, with agreed land swaps and a just solution to the refugee issue.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
The Secretary-General spoke at an event at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
He says the State of Israel exists, but the State of Palestine does not and the Palestinian people continue to struggle for their inalienable rights to self- determination.
The Secretary-General says a Palestinian State must live side by side in peace with Israel, within secure and recognized borders as envisaged in the resolutions of the Security Council.
Mr. Ban welcomes the commitment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to a two-state solution.
"At the same time, I am deeply concerned that talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have been suspended for almost a year. I support the clear commitment and continuing efforts of the United States to bring about the resumption of meaningful negotiations on all final status issues, including the security of Israelis and Palestinians, borders, refugees and Jerusalem."
The Secretary-General repeats his call on Israel to freeze all settlement activity. He also calls for the lifting of the closure of Gaza to allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and people.
Bissera Kostova, United Nations Radio
(duration: 1'33")
