Norway, Ireland, Spain to recognize the State of Palestine, Palestinian Presidency welcomes the step
Norway will recognize the state of Palestine, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Gahr Støre said the Scandinavian country will officially recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.
The recognition of Palestine as a state means that Norway will consider Palestine to be an independent state with the rights and duties this entails. This includes, among other things, the expectation from Norway that all relations with Palestine will be founded on the fundamental rules of international law regarding independence, equality, and peaceful coexistence.
In a related context, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announced on Wednesday Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, while addressing the Parliament, said that his country will recognize Palestine as a state on May 28.
“Next Tuesday, May 28, Spain’s cabinet will approve the recognition of the Palestinian state,” he said.
Palestinian Presidency welcomes Norway’s, Spain’s and Ireland’s recognition of Palestine
The Palestinian Presidency welcomed on Wednesday Norway’s, Spain’s and Ireland’s recognition of the state of Palestine, respectively.
The Presidency said in a statement that it welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister of Norway to recognize the State of Palestine, and that the procedures for issuing recognition decrees will be completed on May 28.
The Presidency also welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of Ireland to recognize the State of Palestine, with the decision being effective as of May 28.
It said it highly appreciated the contribution of this decision from Norway and Ireland in consecrating the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination on their land and in taking actual steps to support the implementation of the two-state solution.
The Presidency confirmed that the Norway and Ireland have steadfastly supported the rights of the Palestinian people over the past years and voted in favor of these rights in international forums, adding that this initial decision is a culmination of these positions and is consistent with the principles of international law that recognize the right of peoples to get rid of colonialism and oppression and to live in freedom, justice and independence.
“The right of peoples to self-determination is an established right recognized under international law, and the State of Palestine renews its continuous call to countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to stand up to their responsibilities and acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and restore confidence in a global system based on rules and equal rights for all the peoples of the earth,” it said.
Additionally, the Presidency welcomed the announcement by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of recognition of the State of Palestine.
The recognition decree will be issued after the next government meeting on May 28.
The Presidency considered that “this step reflects Spain’s keenness to support the Palestinian people and their inalienable and legitimate rights to their land and homeland.”
“Spain’s decision, in these times, comes as a contribution from countries that believe in the two-state solution as an option that represents international will and legitimacy, in saving this solution, which is being systematically destroyed as a result of Israeli occupation policies, especially through the continuation of the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement.
It is noteworthy that eight member countries of the European Union recognize the State of Palestine, and these are Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus, and Sweden.
Source: Wafa News Agency
Souha Suleiman, Raghda Sawas