One month after that the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven hinted out his country’s intention to recognize the state of Palestine, Sweden has fulfilled today its promise and has become now, officially, the first European Union country to recognize the state of Palestine.
Margot Wallström, the Swedish Foreign Minister said the following:
“Today the government takes the decision to recognise the state of Palestine.
“It is an important step that confirms the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
“We hope that this will show the way for others.”
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesman hailed the Swedish decision, stressing that it is “brave and historic”.
He noted further that “all countries of the world that are still hesitant to recognise our right to an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, [should] follow Sweden’s lead.”
Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have recognized Palestine in the past before joining the EU. However, Sweden is now the first country to recognize Palestine while being a member of the EU.
The state of Palestine is also recognized by Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Malta, Iceland and Romania.
At least 113 countries worldwide have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state.
The Moroccan Times.
