Spain denies that it seeks to recognize Palestinian statehood on May 21, but says it is ready to do so at a later date.
Spain will not recognize the Palestinian state on May 21 as previously speculated, but remains open to doing so in coordination with other countries at a later date, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Friday.
This clarification follows recent reports from Irish broadcaster RTÉ that Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta were considering recognizing Palestinian statehood on May 21.
However, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares did not confirm these reports, although he indicated that a fundamental decision on the matter had been reached.
In an interview with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, Sanchez stated, “This will not occur next Tuesday… because we are coordinating with other countries so that we make a joint declaration and recognition.”
Currently, nine EU member states recognize Palestine. Eight countries, namely Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, recognized Palestine in 1988 before joining the European Union, and Sweden recognized Palestine in 2014.
RTÉ reported that two sources revealed that May 21 was being studied as the possible date for the declaration, and a third source said that communications between Ireland and Spain, as well as Slovenia and Malta, have been increasing in a vision of the countries jointly recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris spoke to his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez on May 6, which a government spokesperson labeled as “a good and thorough call” regarding the “grave situation in the Middle East.”
“On recognition [of Palestine], our work continues together on recognizing the State of Palestine. They reaffirmed the wish for both Spain and Ireland to recognize Palestine, agreeing that formal recognition is an important part of acknowledging that a two-state solution is the only way to bring about peace and stability in the region, with the State of Palestine and the State of Israel living side-by-side in peace and security,” the spokesperson said.
Speaking with RTÉ News, a spokesperson for Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense Micheál Martin said, “Discussions with a number of like-minded European partners are ongoing on the recognition of the State of Palestine.”
“Ireland’s focus will continue to be on ensuring a decision on recognition has a positive impact on the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, based on a two-state solution, and supports progress towards comprehensive regional peace, based on the principles of the Arab Peace Plan,” they added.
Ireland for Palestine
At a meeting of the Green parliamentary party, Martin said that Ireland would vote in favor of Palestinian membership in the UN when the UN General Assembly considers this on May 10.
Irish officials also predict this vote to be carried by a significant margin.
Addressing the Green Party meeting, he said that Ireland would take part in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice after South Africa files its substantive case by October.
Martin also mentioned how Ireland was urging the European Commission to respond to the letter sent by Ireland and Spain asking for a review of the EU-“Israel” Association Agreement.
He also expressed worry over the increasing death toll in Gaza and the thousands of children who have been orphaned alongside the destruction-induced trauma haunting all Palestinians who will have to rebuild Gaza.
Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and his Spanish, Maltese, and Slovenian counterparts released a joint statement on March 22 saying that they discussed their “readiness to recognize Palestine” and that they will take this step when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right.
Source: AlMayadeen
