“It's not the US that decides our politics,” Wallström said, adding that the new Swedish authorities expected to “get criticism” after their announcement on Palestinian statehood.
Wallström added that Sweden's new authorities expected to “get criticism” after their announcement on Palestinian statehood.
- However, the minister stressed that Stockholm “will continue the constructive dialogue with the US to explain our motives and reasons for this,” Aftonbladet newspaper reported.
In his first speech before the country's parliament on Friday, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven promised that Sweden will “recognize the states of Palestine.”
He added that the conflict with Israel “can only be solved with a two-state solution, negotiated in accordance with international law.”
If the initiative is approved by parliament, Sweden will become the first EU member to recognize Palestine as an independent state.
But Sweden's plans were not welcomed by the US, Israel's top ally, which warned the Scandinavians against rushing into things.
"We believe international recognition of a Palestinian state is premature," US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said. "We certainly support Palestinian statehood, but it can only come through a negotiated outcome, a resolution of final status issues and mutual recognitions by both parties."
She added that Israel and Palestine must be the ones "to agree on the terms on how they live in the future two states, living side-by-side.”
The Social Democrats gained power in Sweden during the general election in September, following eight years of conservative rule.
- Prime Minister Lofven also promised to adjust Sweden’s foreign policy, which would include the country giving up on its aspirations to join NATO.
Israel captured both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the Six Day War in 1967.
East Jerusalem was later annexed as part of Israel’s indivisible capital, though this move has never been recognized internationally. Israel is also actively building settlements in the West Bank which are considered illegal by the UN.
Israel launched a 50-day military operation in the densely populated Gaza area this summer, which saw over 2,100 Palestinians – mainly civilians – killed and some 18,000 homes destroyed.
http://rt.com/news
4/10/14
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Reconnaissance de la Palestine: Stockholm a répondu à la critique des USA...
ReplyDeleteRépondant aux critiques de la Maison Blanche à la reconnaissance de la Palestine, la ministre suédoise des Affaires étrangères Margot Wallström a déclaré que la politique étrangère suédoise ne dépendait pas des États-Unis.
Vendredi, les médias ont rapporté en référence au Premier ministre suédois Stephen Löfven que la Suède serait le premier pays européen qui pourrait reconnaître la Palestine comme un Etat souverain, ce qui a provoqué les critiques de la part de Washington.
« Nous jugeons que la reconnaissance internationale de l'Etat palestinien est prématurée », a noté le représentant du département d'Etat américain, Jen Psaki.
Lire la suite: http://french.ruvr.ru/news/2014_10_05/Reconnaissance-de-la-Palestine-Stockholm-a-repondu-a-la-critique-des-USA-8585/
5/12/14
Sweden hopes its position on possible recognition of Palestine will spur discussion in EU...
ReplyDeleteSweden hopes that its position on the possible recognition of the State of Palestine will spur discussion in the European Union, Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said on Wednesday.
She did not specify when Sweden could officially recognize Palestine and said that the criticism of the new Swedish leadership’s statements to this effect made last week was quite expected.
Wallstrom said this position would not affect her country’s relations with the United States and Israel.
She said Sweden would continue maintaining good relations with both Israel and the US.
http://en.itar-tass.com/world/753346
8/10/14