Singapore Ready To Recognise Palestine 'At Appropriate Time', Says Foreign Minister

Singapore is prepared in principle to recognise Palestine as a state and will make this move at an appropriate time, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament on Tuesday, emphasising that the country has advocated a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions to achieve lasting peace.

바카라�In particular, there needs to be an effective Palestinian government that accepts Israel바카라�s right to exist and categorically rejects terrorism,바카라� Dr Balakrishnan said.

바카라�Both sides have legitimate rights, and both peoples have a right to live in peace and dignity within secure borders,바카라� The Straits Times quoted the Singapore minister as saying.

He was responding to questions from parliamentarians on Singapore바카라�s May 10 decision to vote for a United Nations resolution backing the admission of Palestine as a member of the world body, which it said was made after 바카라�serious and careful consideration바카라�.

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 바카라�gone on for too long바카라�.

바카라�Ultimately, Israelis and Palestinians would need to exercise leadership and would have to work together to forge a better future for their people. As Singapore is a friend to both, Singapore will continue to offer our encouragement and our tangible support to both Palestinians and Israelis,바카라� he said.

The minister also reiterated the principles guiding Singapore바카라�s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He pointed out that Singapore has consistently advocated a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as a way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace and security.

바카라�This is the only viable path for achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to this conflict,바카라� the broadsheet had Dr Balakrishnan as saying in the House.

Answering a question about the thresholds that need to be crossed for Singapore to recognise the state of Palestine, Dr Balakrishnan said it depends on whether there is an effective Palestinian government or leadership that represents all Palestinians.

This authority should have effective control over the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the mandate and authority to negotiate with the Israelis on behalf of the Palestinians, he said.

바카라�So, I would say that we are not going to lock ourselves into a specific time, or to whether or not other countries have made decisions in parallel on the same fundamental question,바카라� he added.

Dr Balakrishnan said that Singapore has consistently supported the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland.

On April 18 this year, a UN Security Council resolution that recommended that Palestine be admitted to the United Nations was vetoed.

On May 10, the General Assembly took up a resolution expressing support for Palestine바카라�s membership in the UN and recommending that the Security Council reconsider this matter favourably.

Singapore had voted in favour of this resolution. The vote in the UN General Assembly was supported by 143 members and opposed by nine 바카라� including the United States and Israel 바카라� while 25 members abstained.

바카라�Singapore voted in favour of this resolution after very careful consideration, and this reflected our hope to encourage both Israel and Palestine to resume direct negotiations towards a two-state solution, at a time when in fact, the prospects for such negotiations were increasingly bleak,바카라� said Dr Balakrishnan.

He added: 바카라�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.바카라�

Responding to questions about Singapore바카라�s plans to provide technical assistance to Palestinian officials and help them with reconstruction efforts after the conflict, Dr Balakrishan said Singapore will continue its engagement with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Singapore continues to implement its SGD 10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package (ETAP) to help the PA build capacity and prepare for eventual statehood.

To date, Singapore has trained more than 750 officials in areas like diplomacy, water management, economic development, and urban planning - important areas that any government will need expertise in, Dr Balakrishnan said.