FM Fidan urges other EU countries to recognize Palestine

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Members of the Gaza Contact Group, mandated by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, also attended the meeting.

Commitment to two-state solution

Fidan’s visit to Madrid came at Spain’s invitation, following the country’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state. The discussions centered on efforts to achieve a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and to encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine based on a two-state solution.

Joint press conference

During a joint press conference in Madrid with his counterparts from Spain, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, Fidan called on all EU member states to follow Spain’s lead in recognizing Palestine as a state. He thanked Spain for its significant contribution to international peace and security through its “brave action” of recognizing Palestine.

“What Spain and the other European countries have done by recognizing Palestine as a full state is a huge contribution to international peace and security,” Fidan said.

He urged other EU countries to follow Spain’s example, “Therefore, we invite the remaining European Union countries to recognize Palestine as a state to follow the example of Spain.”

He also reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to advocating for a two-state solution and striving for regional peace and security.

This announcement follows Ireland, Norway and Spain’s recent formal recognition of Palestine as a state on Tuesday.

Israeli attacks continue

The context of these diplomatic efforts is Israel’s ongoing offensive on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack. Despite a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, the conflict has continued, resulting in the deaths of more than 36,100 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.

Gaza remains in ruins under a crippling blockade that restricts access to food, clean water and medicine.

Israel has been accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which recently ordered Tel Aviv to halt its operations in Rafah immediately.