No EU decision yet on Palestinian statehood

The European Union remains undecided whether to support Palestinian recognition at the United Nations later this month, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has said.

The question hasn’t been discussed by EU member states, because no such resolution has been tabled yet for the upcoming UN General Assembly, she said yesterday.

The Palestinian statehood bid comes amid stalled peace negotiations with Israel. Israel and the United States oppose it, saying a state must be established through negotiations.

Ms Ashton said the EU’s 28 members were united “over the most critical issue, which is to try to get the talks moving”.

Diplomats say Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are likely to back the resolution.