International recognition of the State of Palestine

SYRIZA MPs are preparing to propose a vote, possibly during the summer, for Parliament to recognize Palestine as a state based on its 1967 borders, Kathimerini understands.

The European Parliament overwhelmingly backed the recognition of a Palestinian state "in principle" on Dec. 17, following a series of votes on the issue in EU nations that have enraged Israel.
     

Turkey moving in wrong direction - EP official

VIENNA -- European parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee chair Elmar Brok has said that Turkey is "increasingly moving away from Europe."

The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) failed on Tuesday to agree on a joint motion calling on EU member states to recognise the state of Palestine.

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France's upper house of parliament on Dec. 11 urged the government to recognize Palestine as a state, following a similar and highly symbolic vote in the lower house.
      

The French Members of Parliament adopted with a large majority on Tuesday a resolution calling on the government to recognise the Palestinian state, and through this to achieve a final settlement of the conflict.

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French lawmakers were to debate on Nov. 28 a motion urging the government to recognize Palestine as a state, amid growing European frustration at the moribund Middle East peace process.
      
The symbolic motion is expected to pass comfortably on December 2 when the lower house of parliament votes on the text proposed by the ruling Socialists.
      

Sweden first "old EU member" to recognize Palestine

STOCKHOLM -- Sweden on Thursday formally recognizeD Palestine as a state, making it "the first old European Union member" to do so.

Sweden on Oct. 30 officially recognized the state of Palestine, Stockholm's foreign minister said, less than a month after the government announced its intention to make the controversial 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.

Sweden's new centre-left government will recognise the state of Palestine in a move that will make it the first major European country to take the step, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Oct. 3.