Norway formally recognises Palestine a state, Ireland, Spain to follow with support for two-state solution

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.

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.