The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, has been able to get the commitment of the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, for his commitment to recognize the Palestinian State as soon as possible. This Friday both affirmed that they are ready for their respective countries to recognize Palestine and promised to work “side by side” for this. “We have agreed on many points; “We are ready to recognize the Palestinian State as soon as possible,” said Gahr Store about the joint text they have signed on Gaza.

“Norway and Spain have a very similar vision“We condemn the attacks of October 7 and also the hostilities in Gaza because they are attacking civilians and killing many innocent people, many children,” said the prime minister in the joint press conference with Sánchez from Oslo. Both countries, in addition, They agree to “call for immediate humanitarian access, a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.” They have also debated “the future of recognition of the State of Palestine”, an issue on which they agree.

That is why Norway joins Spain because the country, according to the prime minister, “has a very similar vision and is ready to recognize the Palestinian state and that it has its rightful place in the UN.” Now it is time to decide when and under what circumstances and they announce that they will work “side by side.” However, they have made their position clear: “We are ready to recognize the establishment of a democratic state in Palestine that can manage Gaza and the West Bank.”

“As soon as possible”

Gahr Store has assured that they want to work with countries in the region such as Spain since they have the same point of view and that they will begin to do so in the “next weeks”. For his part, the President of the Government of Spain explained that they have held “a debate on the Palestinian conflict and has reiterated our country’s commitment” to the peace process. “Our two nations have played an active role in the search of a lasting solution“Said Sánchez, recalling that the situation in Gaza “is tremendous” and that there are “indications that it could get worse and spread to the rest of the region.”

“An immediate ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid is needed. All humanitarian actors must be able to continue carrying out their work without putting their lives at risk. We have to reach a political solution that can bring peace and justice to the region, we agree that the only lasting solution is that of two States,” Sánchez explained. And he has been forceful about the moment in which this occurs. recognition: “The time has come to move from words to actions, recognition is essential, also between both… It has to be as soon as possible“.

As for the Norwegian Prime Minister, he detailed that it is very “useful that Sánchez has had this initiative to come to Oslo and Ireland so that a group of countries can recognize him.” For this reason, he does not rule out recognizing Palestine at the same time as Spain: “I do not rule it out, but we have not made a decision. The situation is dynamic, but Spain and Norway have a similar point of view regarding the process.” However, he says, “the final decision is not decided, we will remain in contact.”

Sánchez urges a peace conference

Next, he stressed that “when the necessary conditions are met and when it has the greatest positive impact with respect to peace, Spain would support Palestine’s entry as a member of the UN“. “We coordinate, we can send a firm and forceful message to move towards peace,” he detailed to insist on his star proposal: a peace conference. “A peace conference needs to be called as soon as possible, which allows them to live along with others. “We are not going to give up our efforts for a lasting solution for the Middle East,” he stated.