EU urges US to reconsider visa denials for Palestinian officials

The European Union on Saturday, September 19, urged the United States to reconsider its decision to deny visas to members of the Palestinian delegation ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) said it regretted the decision to maintain the visa restrictions for a second consecutive year.

“In light of its existing headquarters agreements with the UN and its obligations as host state, we urge the United States for this decision to be reconsidered,” said Anouar El Anouni, an EEAS spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The statement was issued ahead of the General Assembly’s annual high-level session, which is scheduled to begin next week in New York.

The US administration has maintained visa restrictions on senior Palestinian officials, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for a second consecutive year.

On September 17, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by a vote of 152-3 allowing Abbas to address the upcoming session by video link after the United States denied him a visa.

The resolution was adopted ahead of the opening of the 81st session of the General Assembly.

By Tamilla Hasanova