To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility with the principles of the Oslo Accords of the proposal for a Palestinian state made by the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. (301833)

Building the capacity of Palestinian institutions in preparation for statehood is a key part of the Palestinian Authority's proposal and is implicit in the Oslo Accords. The UK supports this aim and continues to pursue vigorously a two-state solution. We believe that direct negotiations between the parties involved, with the strong support of the US, the EU, and the rest of the international community, are the best way to achieve this. In seeking a solution, both parties should adhere to applicable international obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of the proposal for a Palestinian state made by the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. (301834)

We welcome the Palestinian Authority's plan as a contribution to building Palestinian institutions. The Government remain firmly committed to the establishment of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with limited land-swaps of equal quality, existing alongside Israel in peace and security. We believe that the best way to achieve this is through negotiations between the parties, with the strong support of the US, the EU, and the rest of the international community.