(VOVworld) The three leading European Union countries, France, Germany and Britain, are drafting a UN Security Council resolution outlining the principles of an Israeli-Palestinian final-status deal and setting a two-year timetable for completing negotiations on such an agreement. On Thursday, Israeli diplomats said the move was initiated led by France, a permanent member of the Security Council, who managed to persuade both Britain and Germany to join. Although Germany isn’t on the Security Council, its support is important because of its international influence and its close ties with Israel.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (on screen) addresses the Security Council about the situation in Gaza on a video link from Ramallah, West Bank, July 22, 2014. Photo by AFP

The EU resolution is meant to be a counterweight to a resolution drafted by the Palestinians and backed by the Arab League. The Palestinian resolution calls for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank within two years and the immediate acceptance of Palestine as a full UN member. The Palestinians would like their resolution brought to a vote by the end of next year.