Photo: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has welcomed the European Union’s (EU) proposal to host an international peace conference aimed at drafting a roadmap for a two-state solution to resolve the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the end of the decades-old Israel occupation of the Palestinian territories is fundamental for a viable two-state solution, as well as enduring peace and security in the Middle East.
"For any path to a sustainable peace, all parties' voices must be given adequate space to speak for themselves. All voices must be elevated, and all voices must be empowered, for dialogue to be meaningful.
"That is what we proved today, in our own discussion, at the Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting. I hope that we can afford others the liberty of expression that we allow ourselves and each other,” he said during the 24th Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday (Feb 2).
His statement was made available to the media by the Foreign Ministry.
On the same development, Mohamad underscored the need for collaborative efforts between the Asean and the EU to ensure global peace and stability.
Emphasising the shared commitment to peace, he highlighted that both Asean and the EU were founded on the principle of maintaining peace within their respective regions.
"Over the past few months, we have seen 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.
"The marginalisation of the United Nations system and disregard for the UN Charter and international law cannot be allowed to continue. No country should be allowed to continue violating these laws with impunity. There should be no double standards,” he said.
Mohamad also pointed out the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Malaysia welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the case initiated by South Africa against Israel.
He noted the application of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide by the ICJ was deemed crucial in addressing the ongoing crisis. - Bernama
