Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom on Tuesday officially inaugurated the Palestinian embassy in Stockholm, Maan reported.
Sweden recognized Palestine as a state last October.
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Many Arab and foreign diplomats, as well as local politicians attended the ceremony, which upgraded the Palestinian diplomatic representation in Sweden.
Wallstrom said she was looking forward to the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries in all domains.
Abbas also attended a joint press conference with Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Loefven, where he stated that Sweden’s recognition of Palestine will “push forward peace negotiations on the basis of international decisions that cannot be disregarded.”
“This act shows the morality of Sweden’s positions in political and diplomatic issues; they are balanced and just. We hope that the governments of the European states will recognise Palestine upon the recommendations of their parliaments, ” Abbas said.
Back in October, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced he was calling home Israel’s Ambassador to Sweden, after it had recognized the Palestinian state.
“The Swedish government should understand that Middle East relations are more complex than a piece of self-assembled IKEA furniture, and the matter should be handled with responsibility and sensitivity, ” Lieberman said.
Wallstrom shot back: “I will be happy to send Israel FM Lieberman an IKEA flat pack to assemble, ” she said. “He’ll see it requires a partner, cooperation and a good manual.”
Score!
Despite the fact that some 135 countries already recognize Palestine—according the Palestinian Authority—both the U.S. and Israel insist a Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement can only come through talks. Alas, the last round of talks has ended in April with no results.
