Portugal will officially recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, according to a statement released by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. The formal declaration is scheduled to take place before a High-Level Conference planned for the upcoming week.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the decision follows comments made earlier this week by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel. During a visit to the United Kingdom, Rangel had stated that Portugal was considering the recognition.
This move represents a change from Portugal’s earlier, more cautious approach, which prioritized establishing a common position with other European Union countries. Reuters reported that this contrasts with neighboring Spain, which recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024 along with Ireland and Norway. A minority of the 27 EU members, primarily former Communist countries along with Sweden and Cyprus, currently recognize Palestine as a state.
The decision comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The United Nations General Assembly approved a de facto recognition of Palestine in November 2012 by upgrading its status at the world body to a “non-member state”.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
