Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden announced his recognition of a Palestinian state, declaring at the French-Saudi conference at the UN that "we are convinced the two-state solution remains the only way to achieve lasting peace." According to him, "Our goal is a secure and protected State of Israel living alongside a secure and protected State of Palestine. The two-state solution has never seemed more distant than today, yet there has never been such united international will to achieve it. When doubts arise, we must respond with the certainty of hope. Therefore, I seriously declare that as of today, Luxembourg officially recognizes the State of Palestine."