Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced on Friday that Norway is prepared to recognize a Palestinian state, joining other like-minded countries in this cause. The statement was made during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is seeking support for the recognition of Palestine.
“We have not set a firm timetable,” Store mentioned, highlighting the need for coordination with other nations before making a decision. Norway’s parliament had previously approved a proposal to be ready to recognize an independent Palestinian state.
Sanchez, who is on a tour of Poland, Norway, and Ireland, is pushing for more countries to support the recognition of Palestine. Spain has expressed its commitment to recognizing Palestine as a state as soon as the conditions are appropriate and can positively impact the peace process.
The Spanish government, along with Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia, issued a statement in March expressing readiness to recognize Palestine when the circumstances are right. Sanchez hopes this recognition will happen by the end of June.
Store welcomed Sanchez’s initiative to consult with other countries to strengthen coordination on this matter. The move comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, with the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
As the international community continues to navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Norway’s willingness to recognize a Palestinian state signals a potential shift in diplomatic relations in the region.