Spain stressed on Sunday the importance of recognizing the state of Palestine, while Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa is expected to arrive in Madrid two days later.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez stressed on Sunday that recognition of the State of Palestine is “the achievement of justice for the Palestinian people and the best guarantee for Israel’s security.”
This came in a press conference in Brussels with Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa.
“The Palestinians have the right to have a state, just as the Israelis have the right to do so,” Albarez said.
Spain, Ireland and Norway had previously announced that they had decided to recognize the Palestinian state on May 8 to help ensure an end to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7.
The three countries considered that recognition of the Palestinian state would revive peace talks that have been stalled for about 10 years.
Albaris said that other European countries are considering recognizing Palestine, including Slovenia, which has begun taking measures in this regard.
Muhammad Mustafa will head to Madrid – Wednesday – where he will be received by the authorities there in his capacity as head of government.
The Palestinian Prime Minister welcomed the decision of the three countries to recognize the State of Palestine and considered that the step constituted a “major boost” to peace and stability in the region.
Mustafa said that now recognizing Palestine is vital to maintaining the peace process.
But the conflict in the Middle East revealed differing views in the European Union. Some EU diplomats said that this was not the right time to recognize a Palestinian state.