Photo: romea.cz
STOCKHOLM, 22 May. /TASS/. Norway has decided to formally recognize Palestine as a state, according to a statement published on the Norwegian government's website.
"The Norwegian government has decided that Norway will recognise Palestine as a state. In the midst of a war with tens of thousands of dead and wounded, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for both Israelis and Palestinians." Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store is quoted in the statement as saying, "Two states living side by side in peace and security."
He also stressed that "recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces that are losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict".
"Norway's formal recognition of Palestine as a state will come into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024, by which date a number of other like-minded European countries will also formally recognise Palestine. These countries will make their own declarations," the statement added.
Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said in late April that several EU countries would recognise a Palestinian state by the end of May. The state of Palestine is currently recognised as a sovereign state by 143 of the 193 UN member states, including Russia. As far as EU countries are concerned, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden have already recognised the Palestinian state.
TASS/gnews.cz-JaV_07
https://tass.com/world/1791481
English 
Czech