São Paulo – Sweden announced this Thursday (30th) it recognizes the state of Palestine, as it considers Palestinians have met the three criteria under international law for such recognition: a territory, a people and government. The measure was a promise of the new government and was announced by the Swedish Foreign minister, Margot Wallstrom.
With the decision, Sweden has become the first European Union (EU) member country from Western Europe to recognize the state of Palestine, which, nonetheless, is already recognized as such by 134 other nations. These include Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania. Cyprus and Malta also recognize the Palestinian state, as does Iceland, a non-EU country.
Nabil Rudeina, spokesman for the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, said the leader “is celebrating the decision” and asks other countries to follow suit. Israel, in turn, regretted the attitude and protested to the Swedish ambassador in the country.
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
