Palestinian envoy terms recognition of Palestine as 'logical step'

Mrs Leila Shahid, Ambassador of Palestine to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, Monday called for the recognition of Palestine saying it is "a logical and principled step, the fulfillment of a long-overdue international obligation and a positive step towards peace." She noted in a press statement that Palestine declared independence in 1988; relinquishing 78 percent of the Palestinian people's historical homeland for the sake of a two-state solution.
Shahid's statement comes two days before a debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday on the recognition of Palestine. The EP will vote on the issue on Thursday.
"Recognizing Palestine helps to create the atmosphere for an effective peace process and to protect the severely endangered two-state solution, for the benefit of Palestinians and Israelis alike. Any country which genuinely seeks a two-state solution should extend recognition," she stressed.
135 countries have so far recognised Palestine bilaterally. This amounts to over 80 percent of world's population.
In November 2012, 138 UN member states also voted in favour of a General Assembly resolution that recognised the state of Palestine on the 1967 borders.
Sweden is the most recent country to formally extend recognition, which it did on October 30th 2014. Sweden becomes the 8th EU country to recognise Palestine, after Bulgaria, Malta, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus, which recognised Palestine before their entry to the EU.
In October 2014, the British Parliament, Ireland and Spain also voted in favour of a resolution to recognise Palestine. Active discussions are also taking place in France, Denmark and Belgium, among other European countries.
Shahid argued that recognizing Palestine will send an important message to Palestinians that diplomacy and non-violence are the way to achieve their long-denied rights.