Sweden Becomes First Major European Country to Recognize ‘State of Palestine’
by JNS.org
JNS.org – Sweden’s newly formed left-wing government is set to recognize “Palestine” as a state, making it the first European Union (EU) member to do so.
In his inaugural address on Friday, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said that “the conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be solved with a two-state solution, negotiated in accordance with international law.”
“A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and a will to peaceful co-existence. Sweden will therefore recognize the state of Palestine,” Lofven said, without giving a specific timetable for the recognition.
While several European countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Romania have already recognized Palestinian statehood, they did so before becoming EU members.