Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis said on Friday that 'Greece supports unequivocally Palestine's right to statehood,' in his speech at the 66th United Nations General Assembly's session.

Stavros Lambrinidis said, "It is now our responsibility, the responsibility of every member-state of the UN, to respect the Palestinian decision to request membership and more importantly to turn this into an opportunity that will jumpstart anew direct negotiations."

He added, "Palestine has a right finally to exist as an independent state just as Israel let us not forget has an equal right to exist in full and uncompromised security. The EU, on its own accord and within the Quartet, has a crucial role to play in this effort."

He said that "Greece will continue to engage in dialogue with both sides and support Cathy Ashton's and the European Union's efforts within the Quartet and with the parties."

"Nowhere is the lack of peace and security more pronounced and more chronic than in the Palestinian question," he said.