Brussels, 06/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Although Sweden has decided to recognise the “Palestinian state” the spokesperson for the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, pointed out on Monday, 6 October to EUROPE that the EU had, “always said that it would recognise a Palestinian state when it was appropriate”.
Kocijancic emphasised that, “recognition falls within the scope of the member states themselves”. She explained that, “the EU's objective was a two-state solution, with a democratic, independent and viable Palestinian state living side-by-side with Europe and its other neighbours. To do this, direct negotiations should begin again as soon as possible”. In 1999, the member states meeting in Berlin emphasised that the, “European Union declares its readiness to consider the recognition of a Palestinian State in due course in accordance with the basic principles”, which were, “a democratic, viable and peaceful sovereign Palestinian State on the basis of existing agreements and through negotiations”.
On 3 October, the Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Löfven, announced that his country would soon recognise the Palestinian state, which would be an unprecedented move by a country that is already a member of the EU. Saëb Erakat, the chief Palestinian negotiator asserted, “we hope that all EU countries will make the same courageous and remarkable decision as Sweden because there is no reason not to recognise the Palestinian state”. According to the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian State is recognised by 134 countries, including seven EU members: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta and Cyprus. They recognised the Palestinian state before joining the EU. (CG)