04/05/2011 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 04.05.2011 – “I very much welcome the unity deal of the various Palestinian groups, signed today in Cairo,” said Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), the rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on a request by the Palestinian National Council for “Partner for democracy” status with the Assembly.
“Palestinian unity is of utmost importance with regard to the Palestinian request for closer co-operation with the Assembly,” said Mr Kox, who made a fact-finding visit to Ramallah and Jerusalem in March to assess the request.
“Just after I met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he went on to hold meetings – for the first time in a year – with high representatives of Fatah and Hamas,” said Mr Kox. “Now these talks have resulted in a unity deal supported by the main Palestinian factions. Representatives of the United Nations, the European Union and the Arab League were also present at the gathering in Cairo.”
President Abbas has been invited to address the Assembly in June. In October the rapporteur expects to present his report to the Assembly.
“Partner for democracy” status allows parliamentary delegations from countries in regions neighbouring the Council of Europe to take part in the Assembly's activities in return for commitments to pursue the values upheld by the Council of Europe, hold free and fair elections and work towards abolishing the death penalty, among others.