Thirtieth Session of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO: Item 10.1 - Request from Palestine for observer status with the Commission

Statement by the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Croatia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia  and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Moldova, associate themselves with this statement.
2. We appreciate and support the efforts undertaken by the Chairman of the Preparatory Commission to seek a viable solution regarding the request from Palestine for observer status with the Commission.
3. The EU underlines the importance of the principle of consensus in the decision-making of the Preparatory Commission. We note that, at present, there is no consensus on the request from Palestine for observer status with the Commission and express hope that prospects for consensus will become more favourable. We encourage the Chairman to continue his efforts to reach an acceptable solution to this issue.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

_{^[1] Croatia and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.}