4 December 2003 – The Philippines joined the international community yesterday in formally endorsing the Middle East Roadmap for Peace when it voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, which passed with 160 States in favour, six against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, Uganda and the United States), with five abstentions (Australia, Honduras, Nauru, Rwanda and Tonga).

“This resolution demonstrates the belief and hope of the world that a final, peaceful settlement to the question of Palestine is essential to ensuing lasting peace in the Middle East,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople said.

The Secretary said that the resolution gives the Middle East Road Map an important political boast at a time when the  peace process is experiencing many difficulties.

“This resolution welcomes and supports the work of the Security Council  and its vision of a two-State solution and reaffirmed the international community’s commitment to the Road Map peace process, given it a serious boost at a time when many perils face the peace process, “ the Secretary said.

The resolution called on  both sides in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict to fulfill their Road Map obligations and stressed the importance of a credible, independent monitoring mechanism.

The Road Map -  a peace process co-sponsored by the diplomatic Quartet of the European Union, the Russian Federation, the UN and the United States – calls for parallel and reciprocal steps leading to Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security by 2005.

The Secretary said that the Philippines also voted in favor of five other General Assembly resolutions on different aspect of the Middle East issue. “Our votes in the General Assembly in favor of these resolutions reflect our strong desire to work with the vast majority of the international community in bringing peace to the Middle East,” the Secretary said. END.