Palestine–European Union relations

Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, right, greets European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, left, during a round table meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

(FILES) European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell arrives for a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, on Feb. 9, 2023.

The EU foreign policy chief on Monday stressed the need to "put pressure on the Israeli government" and Hamas to achieve peace in the Middle East and end the war in the Gaza Strip.

BRUSSELS - EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell will host a working lunch for Western Balkan leaders in New York on Wednesday, the European Commission announced on Friday.

Spain, Ireland and Norway said Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive.

Several European member states are expected to recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of May, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday at the sidelines of a World Economic Forum special meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu welcomed on Thursday Palestinian Ambassador to Romania Fuad Kokaly, on a farewell visit, commending the latter's contribution to the development and deepening of bilateral relations, as well as professionalism throughout his tenure in Romania.

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.