- Dec 5, 2010
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Canada will oppose an upcoming bid for statehood at the United Nations by Palestinians, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
On Friday, Harper said this sort of "unilateral action" on behalf of the Palestinian Authority is "very regrettable" and won't help the goal of establishing long-term peace in the Middle East.
The prime minister made the statement as he prepares to visit New York next week for a meeting with other world leaders whose nations are part of the military alliance that ousted Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Also next Tuesday, Harper will attend a high-level meeting at the United Nations on improving maternal and child health in poor nations a cause that Harper has been championing for more than a year.
On Wednesday, Harper's focus will be on the economy as he attends a business roundtable hosted by the New York Stock Exchange.
Canada to oppose bid for Palestinian statehood
Harper rejects Palestinian statehood bid
We view this unilateral action on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to be not helpful, Harper said during a stop in Saskatoon.
No unilateral actions like this are helpful in terms of establishing a long-run peace in the Middle East. Canada views the action as very regrettable and we will be opposing it at the United Nations.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, who will be accompanying Harper to New York, has already expressed Canadas opposition to the Palestinian plan. Canada supports a two-state solution to the conflict but only after a negotiated settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
Canada News: Harper rejects Palestinian statehood bid