- Malaysia feels that the Middle East conflict remains unresolved largely because of the lack of honest brokers committed to enforcing and applying equally on all sides the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman said this being the single most important factor fuelling Muslim anger towards Israel and the West, it was imperative that Israel abide by all UN resolutions and withdraw to its pre-1967 borders."Malaysia believes that the Palestine-Israel conflict remains the core issue which needs to be resolved to ensure stability in the Middle East," he said on the sidelines of the Ninth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Foreign Ministers which ended here Tuesday.
Anifah said he told ASEM's 45 member countries, that also include three UN Security Council permanent members - China, France and Britain - that a negotiated outcome was the only way to ensure long-term peace, security and stability in the region.
"We call for a final, just and comprehensive settlement with the realisation of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure and recognised borders...no one likes to be displaced from one own's home and land," he said.
During the meeting, Anifah said the ministers also spoke about the global economic crisis, Influenza A(H1N1), energy security and maritime security, as well as the latest development in Myanmar and Monday's nuclear test by North Korea.
In the chairman's statement issued at the end of the meeting, the foreign ministers said they discussed the recent development concerning democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and called on Myanmar to release all those under detention and to lift restrictions placed on political parties.
The ministers said they welcomed the talks between the European Union Troika and Myanmar at the ministerial level as a further step to mutual understanding.
On the global economic crisis, the ministers said they rejected protectionism and want to enhance market access for the exports of developing countries, warning that protectionist measures might provoke retaliatory actions, further harming the world economy and delaying its recovery.
The ministers also raised concern over climate change and emphasised the importance of flexible mechanisms such as carbon market.
Anifah will attend the EU-Asean Meeting in Phnom Penh tomorrow which among others, will discuss ways to fight terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling and weapon proliferation.
0 Have Your Say!:
Post a Comment