Recognizing the state of Palestine before its actual creation could be counterproductive. This was stated by the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, quoted by Politico, reports News.bg.
Meloni stressed that she supports Palestinian statehood as a long-term goal, but does not approve of recognizing it only on paper before it exists in practice. According to her, such a move creates the illusion of a solved problem, when in reality the conflict remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced earlier this month that France would be the last European country and the first from the G-7 to recognize Palestinian statehood. He said Paris plans to make the formal recognition during the UN General Assembly in September.
“The urgent task today is to end the war in Gaza and provide assistance to the civilian population“, Macron said. He stressed that the French people want peace in the Middle East and that, together with the Israelis, the Palestinians, as well as European and international partners, France will work to achieve it.
Macron's statement was welcomed by the Palestinian authorities, but drew criticism from the United States and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that such a decision "rewards terror" after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
At present, about 147 of the 193 UN member states have recognized or plan to recognize Palestine as an independent state. Of the European Union countries, 11 have already done so, including Spain, Romania, Sweden, Ireland and Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected calls for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. Germany has also said it has no plans for such a move in the short term.