Copenhagen: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says Norway is formally recognising Palestine as a state.
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” Støre said on Wednesday.
He said the Scandinavian country would recognise a Palestinian state as of May 28.
Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Two-state recognition: Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.Credit: AP
Norway which is not a member of the European Union but mirror its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
“The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel,” the Norwegian government leader said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also plans to announce the recognition of an independent Palestinian state on Wednesday, a government source told Reuters, confirming an earlier report from news website El Confidencial.
A spokesperson for Sanchez’s office relined to comment.
The Spanish recognition is likely to coincide with a similar announcement from the Irish government, according to a source familiar with the matter in Ireland.
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