Switzerland to vote for Palestine at UN

Switzerland will vote in favor of the Palestinian request for an enhancement of its status at the United Nations in the vote set to be held at the UN General Assembly, said a press release by Swiss foreign ministry Wednesday. According to the Federal Council, this change of status - from an entity with observer status to that of an observer state - should contribute to a revitalization of the principle of a two-state solution in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, according to a report of Palestine News and Information Agency "WAFA." The decision was taken by the Federal Council at its meeting on November 21, 2012. It considers the draft resolution for granting Palestine the status of non-member observer state at the United Nations, which is to be submitted for a vote to the General Assembly, to be both constructive and pragmatic. The decision to support the resolution is in accordance with Switzerland’s policy to seek a negotiated, just, and durable peace between Israel and an independent and viable Palestinian state within secure and internationally recognized borders. The Federal Council decision in favor of the resolution is based primarily on the following considerations: the consequences of a positive vote at the General Assembly for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the impact of Switzerland’s decision on its commitment to the region.