Moscow, April 10.- Spain is willing to recognize Palestine, it is of geopolitical interest for Europe, Pedro Sánchez, president of the Spanish Government, said today.
“Our call for the recognition of the Palestinian State is making its way (…) it is fair, because this is what the social majority demands, because it is also in the geopolitical interest of Europe, and because the international community will not be able to help the Palestinian State if it does not recognize its existence,” declared Sánchez in his speech in the Lower House of Parliament.
He stressed that “Spain is prepared to recognize the Palestinian State.”
Sánchez and the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, will tour the countries of the European Union (EU) and the Middle East to urge them to join the Spanish initiative.
According to the head of the Government, the idea is gaining more and more followers, convinced that only by recognizing Palestine can peace and security in the region be guaranteed.
In a press conference after the European Council meeting on March 22, Sánchez announced that the Spanish Government had agreed with the authorities of Ireland, Slovenia and Malta to take the first steps towards the recognition of Palestine.
These states issued a joint declaration expressing their willingness to recognize a Palestinian state in “appropriate circumstances.”
Palestine is currently recognized by nine EU Member States: Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia took this step in 1988, before joining the EU, and Sweden in 2014.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict related to the territorial interests of the parties has been a source of tensions and hostilities in the region for many decades.
The UN decision in 1947, with the active role of the Soviet Union, determined the creation of two States – Israel and Palestine – but only the Israeli one was created. (Sputnik) (Photo: Getty Images)
