The Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has said that Denmark is not ready to follow Sweden’s lead in recognising a Palestinian state, according to “The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be solved with a two-state solution, negotiated in accordance with international law,” said Swedish PM Stefan Löfven during his inaugural speech in parliament.
“A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and a will to peaceful co-existence. Sweden will therefore recognise the state of Palestine,” he added.
Back in 2011 when Ms Thorning-Schmidt took office, she said Denmark would, “cooperate with the other EU countries on the recognition of an independent and viable Palestinian state.” But Denmark’s Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard had to clarify the country’s position after that Swedish declaration, saying that the Danish government was ‘not ready’ to support Palestine as a separate state.
“We look forward to being able to recognise Palestine as a state but it is hard to do that before we know whether the state would have any chance to exist,” he said.
The advocacy group ActionAid Denmark launched a petition for Denmark to recognise Palestine on Monday which has secured 12,000 signatures in two days.
Earlier this month, MPs in Westminster voted to recognise an independent state of Palestine in a non-binding vote.
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