STOCKHOLM, Sweden: The newly elected Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Friday that Sweden will recognize the state of Palestine, becoming the first major European country to do so.
“The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be solved with a two-state solution, negotiated in accordance with international law,” a foreign news agency quoted Lofven as saying during his inaugural address in parliament.
“A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and a will to peaceful co-existence. Sweden will therefore recognise the state of Palestine,” the Swedish prime minister added.
The UN General Assembly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in 2012 but the European Union and most EU countries, have yet to give official recognition.
