Palestinian state would first benefit Israeli security

France on Monday called for a unified European Union position regarding the Palestinian statehood recognition bid the palestinian authority intends to request at the UN later this month, indicating in the meantime that the establishment of a Palestinian State would firstly benefit Israeli security. European Union Foreign Ministers met in "informal session" in Poland over the weekend and extensively discussed the question of the Palestinian intention to ask the UN for formal recognition at its forthcoming General Assembly, which opens in mid-September. The EU is split over the Palestinian move, with Spain solidly in favour, and France and Britain said to be leaning towards support of the bid. Germany and Holland and several other EU nations are staunchly opposed, as are the United States and Israel. The emergence of a Palestinian demand could cause a major diplomatic "collision" and cause embarrassment for many, including the divided European Union. "Discussions are ongoing to arrive at a common position... in liaison with all our partners," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said at a briefing. "We have 15 days," he added. "France wants the European Union to be united on this issue in order to fully play its role in favour of a resumption of the negotiating process," he added. "The parameters of a settlement are well known. It is on this basis that peace negotiations must be restarted, and each party must understand it is in its interest," Valero indicated. On this question, he quoted President Nicolas Sarkozy as saying that "the only real security is peace, and this passes through the creation of a Palestinian State. And Israel, whose right to exist and to security are inalienable, would be the first beneficiary." Sarkozy had also added in a speech to diplomats here last week that Europe should be brought fully into the negotiations and should not have to take "a back seat." He also criticized the "method" of peace talks up until now, which he said were not working, and he urged that there be "an enlargement of the circle of negotiators".