European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, assured that the Spanish government confirmed to him that the recognition of the Palestinian State by some countries that are part of the E.U. will be made official on May 21.
In an interview on Spanish National Radio (RNE), Borrell, who is Spanish, declared that Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares confirmed the date: "I know because Minister Albares told me so."
Hours before the statements, the high representative had maintained close contact with the minister while they participated in an event to mark Europe Day. Spain is one of the E.U. countries that seeks to recognize Palestine as an independent state, along with others such as Ireland.
Nine of the 27 countries in the EU already recognize the Palestinian State:
There are already nine E.U. countries that recognize the Palestinian State: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Slovakia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden (the latter in 2014). Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez assured that his country “is prepared to recognize Palestine”:
Spain is prepared to recognize Palestine. It is fair, what a social majority demands and what is in the geopolitical interest of Europe. The international community will not be able to help the Palestinian State if it does not recognize its existence.
Albares had previously declared that the recognition of Palestine by Spain has already been cemented: "What is truly important is not so much the exact day, but the decision, and the decision has been made." The process was detailed by local media sources through a statement from the Council of Ministers.
The date designated for the decision comes to light while the Spanish foreign minister is in Washington, D.C., to hold an official meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
