Thursday, 17 November 2011 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote:

Motion for a resolution B7-0577/2011

Pino Arlacchi (S&D ), in writing . − The EU and the US should increase their cooperation in order to promote peace, in particular in the Middle East, and to support emerging democracies in North Africa. It is of primary importance for the EU and US to push for a resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in full compliance with international law, leading to a two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders and with Jerusalem as capital of both states.

The legitimate demand of the Palestinians to be represented as a state at the United Nations should be addressed by Member States and the US. Moreover, I want to stress that the human rights dossier and the nuclear energy dossier for Iran should be kept clearly separate, and that no action should be taken by any State that could risk leading to a military attack against Iran.

[source:www.europarl.europa.eu]