Ratas defends Estonia's position in UN vote
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) justified with international law Estonia's decision to support a UN General Assembly resolution critical of the U.S.' unilateral decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Thursday.
"Estonia along with 21 EU member states voted against the statement of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the UN General Assembly yesterday," Ratas said on social media on Friday. "Our decision is based on international law, and the EU's longstanding position in the Israel-Palestine conflict, which is the solution of two states.
"The question concerning the status of Jerusalem is part of this solution, and it must be achieved through negotiations," he continued. "As the presidency of the Council of the EU, it is important for us to keep as common a line in the joint foreign and security policy of the EU as possible."
At an extraordinary General Assembly on Thursday, the UN overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution to reject U.S. President Donald Trump's recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The resolution passed with 128 members in favor, nine against and 35 abstentions, including by the EU member states of Latvia, Poland, Romania, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS
