- AP
KUALA LUMPUR: France has called on Malaysia to participate in a landmark United Nations conference on the two-state solution for Palestine, co-organised by Paris and Riyadh, set to take place in New York from June 2 to 4.
French Ambassador to Malaysia Axel Cruau said an official invitation has been extended to Malaysia.
Paris hopes that Malaysia – known for its vocal support of Palestine and its current role as the Asean Chair – will lend its voice to the global push for lasting peace in the region.
"Now (Paris) is awaiting the feedback (from Kuala Lumpur)," Cruau told Bernama in an interview at Wisma Bernama recently.
"Malaysia is a strong voice for Palestine and worldwide and is the Chair of Asean. So we (France) really want Malaysia to participate in the discussion on the solution.
"France wants to work more politically with Malaysia on world crises such as Palestine. There will be no way out (for Palestine) without a two-state solution," he said.
Cruau said France needs as many participants as possible in the upcoming conference to bring peace to Palestine.
According to the unwatch.org website, the conference's main aim is to obtain the recognition of a Palestinian state from UN member states.
The website said that on April 9, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the recognition of a Palestinian state was one of the conference's goals.
The website added that Macron also signalled France's intention to recognise a Palestinian state.
Malaysia has been firm in fighting for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital and Palestine's rightful place as a full member of the United Nations.
On May 7, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa declared the Gaza Strip a famine zone and called on the entire UN system to immediately activate its mechanisms.
Mustafa also called on all UN member states to take urgent action in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law and to recognise the catastrophe and famine.
Since Oct 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation forces have been waging an ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the killing of more than 52,600 citizens, the majority of whom were children and women, and the injury of 118,752 others. – Bernama
