May 22. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The heads of Government of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta agreed in March to recognize the Palestinian State when the “appropriate circumstances” were met, but two months later it was finally the Spanish Pedro Sánchez and the Irish Simon Harris who have anticipated the take this joint step, hand in hand with Norway – a country that is not part of the European Union -.
Spain, Ireland and Norway announced this Wednesday the recognition of Palestine on May 28, in the interest of a two-state solution and with the conflict still open in the Gaza Strip. For Sánchez, it is “an act of peace, justice and coherence”, as he explained from the lectern of the Congress of Deputies.
The Slovenian Government began the procedures to advance this recognition on May 9, in a Council of Ministers from which came the commitment to make a firm decision before June 13. Diplomatic sources from Slovenia explain to Europa Press that this is only a limit and that, therefore, the definitive endorsement may arrive sooner.
In any case, the hypothetical ‘yes’ of the Government, which undertook to examine in these weeks issues such as negotiations for a ceasefire, the release of hostages or reforms aimed at strengthening the role of the Palestinian Authority, would be moved to next to the Slovenian Parliament for consideration first in committee and then in plenary session.
For their part, in Malta they insist that they maintain “their will to recognize Palestine”, although sources from the Maltese Government consulted by Europa Press have clarified that this initiative will be consummated “when recognition can achieve a positive contribution (to the conflict) and the circumstances are right.”
To this end, the Maltese Executive “is examining developments in the Middle East to determine the optimal timing for this important development.” Regarding possible deadlines, these sources have stated that they want to take the step “as soon as possible”, but without setting a date.
THE CASE OF BELGIUM
Belgium is also added to this equation of movements, which, although together with Ireland and Spain, called on the European Commission to examine the current framework of relations with Israel, has avoided any call for the potential recognition of Palestine as a State, with the general elections to two weeks seen.
Belgian official sources have made it clear that their coalition government will not join the announcements of Sánchez and Harris, although the Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo, brings together all his vice presidents this Wednesday to address the situation in the Middle East.
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