European Leaders Hail Macron's Move to Recognize Palestinian state
(MENAFN) European leaders on Friday reacted positively to French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France would officially recognize Palestine as a state, marking a notable step toward Middle East peace.
In a post on X Thursday, Macron stated that he would formalize the recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
"I welcome the announcement by President Macron that France will recognise Palestine in September," said Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in a message on X. "This is an important contribution towards implementing the two-state solution, which offers the only lasting basis for peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed Harris’ sentiments, also taking to X to express his approval: “I welcome that France joins Spain and other European countries in recognizing the State of Palestine. Together, we must protect what Netanyahu is trying to destroy. The two-state solution is the only solution.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney urged the UK to follow suit, calling Macron’s decision crucial for peace. “The UK should follow the example of France tonight and recognise the State of Palestine. This is essential for peace. The ceasefire and humanitarian aid must start now."
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon praised Macron’s announcement as "a bold step for peace and a two-state solution," reaffirming her country's commitment to international law and a durable peace in the region.
The Czech Republic also voiced support, aligning with Macron’s stance on a two-state solution. However, the Czech Foreign Ministry emphasized that Palestinian statehood should be the product of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Czech President Petr Pavel, currently visiting Japan, also reiterated this point.
While many European leaders supported France's decision, others were more cautious. Germany, for instance, indicated that it does not plan to recognize Palestine in the near future.
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Berlin views recognition as “one of the final steps” in the peace process, which must ultimately be the result of negotiations.
“The German government's priority now is to achieve long-overdue progress on the most urgent issues,” Kornelius explained, citing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
