Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store mentioned his nation “stands ready” to acknowledge the sovereignty of Palestine and its full membership within the United Nations.
The news got here after a gathering along with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, who, on Friday, launched into a European tour to persuade extra nations to acknowledge an impartial Palestinian state.
“The query is at what second and in what setting to (acknowledge Palestine) so as to help the method in the direction of peace within the area. And what this assembly at this time has made clear is that we keep very carefully coordinated between Madrid and Oslo,” mentioned Store at a joint press convention.
Sanchez mentioned on Friday that Spain desires to acknowledge Palestine “as quickly as doable,” leveraging the transfer as a technique to achieve momentum for a definitive peace course of.
The leaders highlighted the historic significance of Spain and Norway as mediators. The Madrid Conference of 1991 kicked off negotiations that ultimately led to the signing of the Oslo Accord in 1993.
Store specified that he might be “actively engaged” with Spain on recognizing Palestine in the coming weeks and that he supports a “democratic Palestine” by which Gaza and the West Bank are run by the Palestinian Authority.
Meanwhile, Sanchez mentioned there’s a “clear momentum” round recognizing Palestine due to the scenario in Gaza, pointing to the upcoming debate within the United Nations about making the nation a full member state.
Both Norway and Spain additionally condemned the humanitarian scenario in Gaza, calling for an instantaneous cease-fire and for Israel to permit humanitarian support to achieve the besieged inhabitants.
“But moreover this, we have to attain a political resolution that when and for all brings peace and justice into the area, and all of us agree that solely a two-state resolution will finish the battle,” he added.
“It is time to maneuver from phrases to deeds,” he mentioned, calling on the worldwide neighborhood to behave urgently to assist finish the battle.
“Too many individuals have died.”
Sanchez mentioned that Oslo and Madrid are “powerful reminders” about the possibility for peace, and called for an international peace conference “as quickly as doable.”
Later on Friday, Sanchez will journey to Ireland the place he would be the first international chief to satisfy with the brand new Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Ireland has already dedicated to recognizing Palestine, however the two leaders will additional focus on the problem.
Then on Monday, he’ll obtain Portugal’s new Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in Madrid to attempt to persuade him to do the identical.
Sanchez’s tour will then take him to Slovenia and Belgium for extra bilateral conferences about Palestine.
Earlier this month, Sanchez additionally traveled to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to debate the scenario in Palestine and Israel.
Source: www.dailysabah.com