Mr. President,
Every year, we seem to reach a critical juncture in the Middle East. And every year, in retrospect – has turned out to be a missed opportunity. However, Norway finds it timely to underline that 2011 could represent an important crossroad in the peace process.
A Palestinian state-structure is emerging, scheduled for completion by August next year. The one-year timeline for the direct negotiations will expire around the same time. These two tracks – the state-building track, and the political track, are set to converge in the two-state solution. We may finally see the day when the independent Palestinian state emerges.
Mr. President,
The bottom-up track, the state-building process, has been successful. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, increasingly robust Palestinian institutions are in place. The Palestinian Authority is cutting spending and bringing deficits down. Dependency on foreign aid is decreasing at a steady rate and transparency and accountability continue to replace corruption and nepotism. There is a growing sense of security and the rule of law in Palestinian communities in the West Bank. On all fronts Palestinian society is evolving, and among Palestinians there is a growing sense that the changes taking place today hold promise for a better tomorrow. The process is successful to the extent that the World Bank, in its report to the donor community in September this year, stated that the Palestinian Authority now is: “well-positioned for the establishment of a state at any point in the near future”.
Mr. President,
At the same time the direct negotiations, launched in September this year with the goal of reaching a settlement of the conflict within one year, have stalled over Israel’s decision to let the partial moratorium on settlement activity in the occupied territory expire.
The lack of progress at the negotiating table has led some Palestinians to question the viability of negotiations, and to contemplate alternative paths to the two-state solution. Norway firmly believes there is no alternative to negotiations. But in order to restore the Palestinians’ confidence in the political process, the situation on the ground must improve. This includes an end to settlement activity in East-Jerusalem and the West Bank in accordance with Road Map obligations. It also includes efforts by Israel to strengthen economic development and improve economic growth and living standards in the occupied territories.
Mr. President,
The donor community has done its utmost to honour their commitments to the Palestinian state-building process, despite challenges caused by the global financial downturn. And as Chair of the Ad-hoc Liaison Committee Norway can confirm the donor community’s determination to help the Palestinian state-building process pass the finish line in 2011. But at the same time we must sound a word of warning; continued financial support for Palestinian institutions depends on a credible political process. Without a political horizon and a clear timeline it becomes increasingly hard to justify high levels of contributions.
Mr. President,
As we look to 2011 we can rest assured that the efforts at building Palestinian institutions and preparing for statehood will continue as planned. And the timeline for the completion of negotiations by September next year is there. In other words; 2011 should be the year when the conflict is resolved and the Palestinian state is established.
Thank you.