MFA: Norway hopes several more countries recognize Palestine

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide hopes some European countries next week follow the example of Dublin, Madrid and Oslo, which announced decisions to recognize Palestine as a state, Report informs referring to TASS.

“In recent years, there have been very unequal relations between Israel and Palestine,” the diplomat said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais. “That’s why I think this recognition is constructive.”

He believes that the existence of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas is based on “the lack of progress with a Palestinian state.” “We are deeply convinced that there will be other states that will soon follow our example,” the minister added.

The foreign minister also clarified that Oslo is not going to recall the Norwegian ambassador to Israel for consultations, despite a similar step by the Israeli side.