Palestinian Prime Minister visits Madrid

The diplomatic move by three Western European nations on Tuesday was criticised by Israel and will have no immediate impact on the fierce fighting in Gaza, but it is a victory for the Palestinians and could encourage other Western powers to follow suit.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (center) poses for a photo with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares (front row 2nd left) and Middle East foreign ministers at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain on May 29, 2024. AP Photo

Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa said afterwards: “On behalf of President (Mahmoud) Abbas and the Palestinian Government, and the Palestinian people, we warmly welcome Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine. This recognition strengthens our determination to continue the struggle for a just and lasting peace .”

Also arriving in Madrid were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hussain Ibrahim Taha, and the foreign ministers of Türkiye and Jordan, members of the so-called Committee of Foreign Ministers of Arab and Muslim Countries for Gaza. They met with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

More than 140 countries have recognized the State of Palestine, accounting for more than two-thirds of the United Nations membership.

Along with Spain and Ireland, there are now nine members of the 27-nation European Union that formally recognise a Palestinian state. Norway is not an EU member but generally supports the bloc's foreign policy.

Slovenia, an EU member, will decide on recognizing a Palestinian state on Thursday and send its decision to parliament for final approval.

“We salute Spain and we salute Norway, Ireland and Slovenia for doing the right thing. We call on our other European partners to do the same,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

The move to recognise a Palestinian state has sent EU-Israel relations into a tailspin. Madrid and Dublin are pushing for the EU to take action against Israel over its repeated attacks on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Cao Phong (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-palestine-tham-tay-ban-nha-sau-khi-duoc-cong-nhan-nha-nuoc-palestine-post297431.html