UN General Assembly
2009

infrastructure and strengthening its economy. Latvia has contributed both military and civilian assistance to the development of Afghanistan. Achieving peace in the Middle East is another issue that remains at the top of the international agenda. The two-State idea will become a reality only when the Israeli Government sincerely works to make it one. It will become a sustainable reality only when Palestinian leaders settle their own differences in the interests of their people. This year, Latvia provided a rehabilitation programme for 18 Palestinian boys and girls. They came to Latvia to participate in our rehabilitation programme for traumatized children from the Gaza Strip. Those children came to overcome the psychological impact of the conflict they experienced earlier this year. Latvia would like to reiterate its firm support for the security and stability of Georgia, which must be based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as recognized by international law. The security situation in and around Georgia is still very fragile. We regret that the Security Council failed to agree on the