§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy to assist the nations concerned to meet the 4 May deadline for the international recognition of the state of Palestine. [59893]
§ Mr. FatchettThe Government's policy on this issue is clear. We, in line with EU partners, support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, not excluding the option of a state. Palestinian statehood is an issue for final status negotiations. We hope both sides will concentrate their efforts on implementation of the Wye River Memorandum, which calls for the immediate resumption of final status talks aimed at completion before 4 May. We will do our utmost, both bilaterally and within the EU, to help both sides implement this agreement and assist the negotiations between the parties on final status issues.