The Prime Minister called on the global community to step up efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the Palestinians in a speech to the United Nations yesterday.
It is important that the process of national reconciliation in Libya takes hold as soon as possible
“At a time when people in the Middle East and North Africa, and beyond, have embarked on a new path for freedom, dignity and prosperity, we must also invest our efforts and determination to fulfil the long-sought aspirations of the Palestinian people,” Lawrence Gonzi said in an address to the 66th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The agenda at the assembly has been dominated by the Palestinians’ formal application to be admitted to the UN as a full member state.
Israel opposes the move, insisting the only path to a viable two-state solution in the Holy Land is through negotiations, while the US has vowed to veto the application in the UN Security Council.
Dr Gonzi said political stalemate persisted despite the fact that, from an institutional perspective, the preparations for statehood had been successfully completed.
“Agreement on parameters for negotiations would clearly be a step in the right direction. In this regard Malta is fully behind the efforts by the EU and in particular by its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to make this happen,” Dr Gonzi said, adding that the conclusions of the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted in December 2009, December 2010 and May 2011 provide balanced parameters for the resumption of negotiations.
On the Libyan revolution, the Prime Minister heaped praise on the National Transitional Council (NTC), saying its approach over recent weeks had undoubtedly enhanced its standing andlegitimacy.
“We welcome the NTC’s determination to ensure that it is justice and not vengeance that will be pursued by this brave people. It is important that the process of national reconciliation takes hold as soon as possible, underpinned by the fullest respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all elements of the population,” he said.
Malta endorsed the three fundamental principles under which the UN intended to operate in Libya, namely Libyan national ownership, effective co-ordination and rapid response and delivery, Dr Gonzi said.
Turning to the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, the Prime Minister said they also deserved every encouragement as they embarked on the reforms ahead.
“A holistic approach is a crucial element in maximising international endeavours, not least to stimulate economic growth.
“Democracy stands a better chance of flourishing if there is economic development and tangible improvement in living standards,” Dr Gonzi said.
On the topic of irregular migration to Europe from North Africa, the Prime Minister said Malta continued to place before UN members the case for international solidarity and burden-sharing in dealing with the influx of “illegal immigrants” that were still reaching Malta because of the situation that had developed in Libya and North Africa
The Prime Minister also repeated the proposal he made in his 2009 speech to the assembly for the drawing up of a Universal Declaration on Human Responsibilities to complement the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
He said following encouragement from other member states for the proposal, the government intended to call an international gathering next year, at official level but with the presence of experts, to examine the draft declaration and finalise it in such a way that it could also be opened for signature that same year.