Finnish President says ready to recognise Palestinian state, deplores ‘inhumane’ Gaza situation
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Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said he understood that Finns have “different opinions on the recognition of Palestine, and that there is also concern”.
PHOTO: AFP
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HELSINKI – Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has said he is ready to approve a recognition of a Palestinian state if the government moves forward with such a proposal.
Many countries, including France and Canada, have pledged to recognise
“The decisions by France, the United Kingdom and Canada reinforce the trend towards recognising Palestine as part of efforts to breathe new life into the peace process,” Mr Stubb said in a post on X on July 31.
Finland’s president, elected for six years, has limited powers but helps coordinate the country’s foreign policy in close cooperation with the government.
“If I receive a proposal to recognise the Palestinian state, I am prepared to approve it,” Mr Stubb said, deploring an “inhumane” situation in Gaza.
He said he understood that Finns have “different opinions on the recognition of Palestine, and that there is also concern”, calling for an “open” and “honest” debate.
The far-right Finns Party and the Christian Democrats oppose recognising a Palestinian state.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Aug 1 reiterated Helsinki’s support for a two-state solution, without specifying whether the government was ready to recognise a Palestinian state.
Discussions on foreign policy and the Middle East with Finland’s President would continue up to the UN conference at the end of September, he said. AFP
