The Israelis and Palestinians need to work together to forge better future for their peoples, he said.
SINGAPORE - Singapore is prepared in principle to recognise Palestine as a state and will make this move at an appropriate time, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Parliament on July 2. Its key consideration in doing so is that such a move should help the progress towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution, he added.
In his response, Dr Balakrishnan urged both sides to seize the moment to take steps towards a long-lasting peace and put an end to the suffering that has “gone on for too long”. Mr Giam asked about the thresholds that need to be crossed for Singapore to recognise the state of Palestine, to which Dr Balakrishnan said it depends on whether there is an effective Palestinian government or leadership that represents all Palestinians.
In 1988, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation issued a proclamation on the State of Palestine which affirmed the UN’s partition of the Mandate of Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish State, as well as the PLO’s decision to renounce violence against Israel. He added: “We therefore decided to join the majority of the international community in supporting this resolution, which is also in line with our longstanding support for the principles of international law, and for the implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions.”
Under the ETAP, PA officials are provided sponsorship to participate in study visits to Singapore and capacity-building courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme . It also offers scholarships for PA officials to pursue postgraduate studies at Singapore universities. Three Palestinian officials have been awarded scholarships this year, in accountancy, international political economy, and info-communications security.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
1 in 3 of Singapore’s wealthiest billionaires are not originally from SingaporeMost of the top billionaires who were not born in Singapore are from China, while some are from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Read more »
Singapore core inflation remains at 3.1% for third consecutive monthSINGAPORE: Singapore’s core inflation stayed at 3.1 per cent in May, unchanged from April and
Read more »
S’pore Chinese culture unique because it is established on foundations of multiculturalism: SM LeeIn Singapore, all citizens should put Singapore and its interests first, said SM Lee
Read more »
Singapore 'prepared in principle' to recognise a Palestinian state that rejects terrorism, accepts Israel's right to existSINGAPORE — Singapore is "prepared in principle" to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state if it renounces terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Tuesday (July 2).
Read more »
No substitute for Asean even as South-east Asian countries express interest in joining Brics: VivianDr Balakrishnan was in Thailand on an official visit from June 25 to 26.
Read more »
Congratulations pour in as Vivian Balakrishnan welcomes his latest grandchildVivian Balakrishnan was every inch the proud grandpa as he posed with his newest grandchild.
Read more »