YEREVAN. - Armenia voted for Palestine membership to UNESCO.

According to UNESCO, from the South Caucasus region Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan also voted for Palestine membership. Georgia abstained from voting.

USA in its place stopped the funding of UNESCO because of Palestine’s membership.

A law was accepted in USA during the 90’s which states that USA will stop the funding for any UN body which will accept Palestine’s membership before it has settled relations with Israel by peaceful negotiations.

Yesterday UNESCO’s 36th General Commission took place in Paris and a decision was made to accept Palestine as UNESCO’s 195th member.

Israel, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and USA voted against Palestine membership to UNESCO.

Every year USA donates around 70 million dollars to UNESCO which makes up a quarter of UNESCO’s budget. So for November around 60 million dollars will not be transferred.

About a month ago Palestine’s president Mahmoud Abbas applied for UNESCO’s membership. On November 11 the UN Security Council will discuss Palestine’s application. USA threatened to use its veto right against Palestine’s membership.