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Armenia Recognizes Palestine: In a significant move, the European country of Armenia has officially recognized Palestine as a state, despite opposition from Israel. This announcement was made by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
Supporting UN Resolution
The Armenian Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasized their support for the United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They also expressed their backing for a bilateral resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The statement highlighted Armenia’s commitment to international law, equality among nations, sovereignty, and peaceful coexistence, affirming their recognition of the State of Palestine.
Other European Countries
This decision follows similar actions by other European countries during the recent Gaza conflict. Spain, Ireland, and Norway also recognized the Palestinian state last month, adding to the growing list of nations supporting Palestinian statehood.
Armenia’s Stance
Armenia’s statement expressed a genuine interest in establishing lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. The ministry strongly condemned the use of civilian infrastructure as shields in armed conflicts and opposed the violence against civilian populations. They also criticized Hamas for taking civilians hostage and called for their release in collaboration with the international community.
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Palestinian Authority’s Response
Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior official of the Palestinian Authority, thanked Armenia for their recognition. He described it as a victory for the Palestinian people’s pursuit of rights, justice, legitimacy, and independence.
Israeli-Armenian Relations
The recognition comes against a backdrop of complex regional dynamics. Israel is a significant arms supplier to Armenia’s rival neighbor, Azerbaijan. The decision by Armenia to recognize Palestine adds another layer to the geopolitical landscape in the region.
European Union Relations
The recent recognition of Palestine by European Union member states has led to a cooling of relations between Israel and the EU. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr stated that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without recognizing the Palestinian state. Similarly, Spain’s Prime Minister criticized Israeli policies in Gaza, arguing that they endanger the two-state solution. Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris called the recognition a historic and important day for both nations.
Diplomatic Reactions
In response to these recognitions, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Spain, Ireland, and Norway. Although Norway is not an EU member, it has been a strong advocate for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
Conclusion
Armenia’s recognition of Palestine as a state marks a significant development in international relations concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This decision aligns Armenia with other European nations advocating for Palestinian statehood and highlights a growing trend of international support for the Palestinian cause. The move underscores the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics and the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.