EU states to 'recognize Palestinian statehood' by end of May: EU Chief
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EU's Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell touched down on future expectations regarding "Palestinian statehood" at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh.
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European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Strasbourg, eastern France. (AP)
Multiple European member states are predicted to recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of May, according to what EU's Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell revealed today.
Borrell said the latter at the sidelines of a World Economic Forum special meeting in Riyadh.
Spain, Norway, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated on April 12 that there were "clear signs" in Europe that regional nations were willing to recognize a Palestinian state.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who met with Sanchez, said that Norway is prepared to recognize a Palestinian state with other nations.
Gahr Store told reporters during a joint press conference that "Norway stands ready to recognize the state of Palestine," adding that such a choice would need tight consultation with "like-minded countries."
"We have not set a firm timetable," the Norwegian leader stated.
On his part, Sanchez explained that Spain was "committed to recognizing Palestine as a state, as soon as possible, when the conditions are appropriate, and in a way that can have the most positive impact to the peace process."
On March 22, Spain, Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia released a declaration on the margins of an EU leader's conference, indicating they were "ready to recognize Palestine" when "the circumstances are right."
Also at the World Economic Forum today
The US Secretary of State said today he was hopeful Hamas would accept an "extraordinarily generous" deal offered by "Israel" to ensure the release of captives.
"Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel," Blinken said in Riyadh at the World Economic Forum.
"In this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas," he said.
"They have to decide – and they have to decide quickly," Blinken said. "I'm hopeful that they will make the right decision."
"We can have a fundamental change in the dynamic," Blinken added.
On the controversial point of a Rafah invasion, Blinken renewed US opposition to any offensive on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah.
He still admitted that "we have not yet seen a plan that gives us confidence that civilians can be effectively protected."
