Sweden recognizes the State of Palestine

• October 31, 2014 07:56

(Baonghean.vn) - Sweden is the first country in the European Union to recognize the State of Palestine. The Stockholm government believes that the Palestinian territories satisfy the conditions set by international law on what constitutes a state.

Bà Margot Wallstrom Bộ trưởng Bộ ngoại giao Thụy Điển hôm 8 tháng 10 năm 2014 tại Helinski. Ảnh: AFP
Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom on October 8, 2014 in Helinski. Photo: AFP

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In a press conference, Ms. Margot Wallstrom - Head of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said "The government believes that the conditions stipulated by international law for recognizing Palestine as a state are met, such as having a territory, a stable population and a government." Ms. Margot also said that the decision should have been made sooner rather than now. It is known that Sweden is home to a large Palestinian population. The Stockholm government made this decision at a time when efforts to resolve the decades-long conflict between Palestine and Israel are at a standstill.

Immediately, the Palestinian President welcomed this action of the Stockholm government and considered it a "brave and historic act". The President's spokesman announced: "Mr. Abbas calls on all countries in the world who are still hesitant about whether to recognize Palestine as a state to follow the example of Sweden. Palestine is a country that has been independent since 1967 and has its capital in East Jerusalem". On the contrary, in a statement, Mr. Avigdor Lieberman - Israeli Foreign Minister said that this was a wrong and regrettable decision of the Stockholm government and that this only increased the extremist actions in the land where conflicts often occur. Mr. Avigdor stated: "The Swedish government must know that relations in the Middle East are very complicated, so it is necessary to take very careful actions in the face of events in this region". The US greeted Sweden's announcement with skepticism, calling recognition of Palestine as a state "premature".

According to the Palestinian Authority, there are about 135 countries in the world that have recognized Palestine as a state. Among them are 7 members of the European Union: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta and Cyprus. According to AFP statistics, there are at least 113 countries that recognize the Palestinian state.

Sweden’s move is “a diplomatic effect that could eventually snowball,” international law professor Ove Bring said, concluding that it is a political and psychological success for Palestinians and those who support a two-state solution.

Margot said Sweden would not participate but would only be present in the peace process. Sweden has decided to increase its bilateral aid to Palestine to 500 million kronor (about 53.9 million euros). The Swedish Consulate General in Jerusalem said the five-year support program for Palestine now stands at 1.5 billion kronor.

Chu Thanh

According to Liberation October 30