BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated on Friday that the conditions were not suitable for recognizing a Palestinian state, despite recent moves by three other European nations to do so.
Scholz emphasized, “We currently lack the clarity necessary regarding the Palestinian Authority’s territory and other associated issues.”
“What we need is a negotiated solution between Israel and the Palestinians that amounts to a two-state solution… but a significant progress is still required in that direction,” he said.
“Symbolic recognition of statehood does not bring us further” toward the goal, he added.
Echoing Scholz’s sentiments, Montenegro said that Portugal is also not prepared to recognize a Palestinian state at this time. He cited the need for further discussions within the European Union on related matters.
Earlier in the week, Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced their intentions to recognize the State of Palestine, drawing strong objections from Israel, which warned of potential repercussions on diplomatic ties with the European nations.
Formal recognition of a Palestinian state has long been considered a key goal in the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis.
Many Western nations, and the United States, express willingness to recognize Palestinian statehood in the future, but not before agreement is reached on contentious issues such as borders and the status of the Al Quds Al-Sharif.
