"This is an opportunity to form a joint effort for recognition of Palestine to become a UN member which will be put forward in the UN General Assembly next September," Minister Maliki said in a press conference on the sidelines of the 16th NAM Ministerial Meeting here, Thursday.
The NAM meeting which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Movement, on Wednesday adopted a "Bali Commemorative Declaration" which also reaffirmed support for an independent state of Palestine.
NAM member states said they would remain at the forefront of support for the Palestinian people to realize freedom, peace and justice, in line with the long-standing international consensus recognizing the Palestinian people as a nation.
"We are resolved to recognize their inalienable right to self-determination, with the achievement of the independence of the State of Palestine on the basis of the 4th of June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution to all other aspects of the question of Palestine in accordance with international law and UN resolutions," the Declaration said.
To become a member of the UN, Palestine needs at least two-thirds of the total 193 UN members` votes. Palestine has so far collected supports from 112 countries, of 128 needed.
"To get recognition as a UN member, we need at least 130 votes before September 2011," Maliki said.
NAM will garner a collective support for an international recognition of Palestine, Maliki said.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa earlier said that NAM has been very consistent in supporting Palestine, but there are still 29 NAM member countries, including several ASEAN members, which have not recognized Palestine for various reasons. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
