M’sia welcomes EU plan to draft roadmap for a two-state solution

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia welcomes the European Union’s (EU) proposal to host an international peace conference to draft a roadmap for a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The Foreign Minister said the proposed move is fundamental to ending the longstanding conflict in the Middle East and bringing peace and security in the region.

He also called for adequate space to be given to all parties to speak for themselves in order for any path to sustainable peace to succeed.

“I hope that we can afford others the liberty of expression that we allow ourselves and each other,” said Mohamad during the 24th EU-Asean Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday.

He underlined the foundation of Asean and the EU to maintain peace in their respective regions.

“It is time for us to come together, and maintain peace in the world at large.

“Over the past few months, violence and the threat of war loom once again over the Middle East. Even more worrying is the possibility that this may grow into a multilateral conflict.

“Given the ongoing global polycrises and worrying developments in the Middle East, it is critical to ensure that peace remains our first and ultimate priority.

“The spectre of another regional or world war must be immediately vanquished,” he added.

Mohamad also noted that the blatant disregard for international law and the United Nations Charter cannot be allowed to continue, and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the international community to support the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision on the matter.

On Jan 26, the ICJ directed Israel to prevent any acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help the civilians.

However, it did not order a ceasefire as requested by South Africa, which initiated the case.