Sweden officially recognized the state of Palestine, Stockholm´s foreign minister said, less than a month after the government announced its intention to make the much sought after move.
“Today the government takes the decision to recognise the state of Palestine,” Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said in a statement published in the Dagens Nyheter daily.
“It is an important step that confirms the Palestinians´ right to self-determination,” she said, adding that “we hope that this will show the way for others.”
Sweden´s new Prime Minister Stefan Loefven announced in his inaugural address to parliament in early October that his country would become the first EU member in western Europe to recognise the Palestinian state.
While the Palestinians cheered the move, Israel summoned Sweden´s ambassador to protest and express disappointment. isreal was firmly against such a move.
