Berlin does not believe the requirements for recognising a Palestinian state have been met and will not join efforts to do so at the United Nations in September, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said.
In a departure from positions adopted by the UK, France, Australia and Canada, where governments have signaled a willingness to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September, Germany has described such a move as “counterproductive”.
“The position of the federal government is clear, as far as the possible recognition of the state of Palestine is concerned,” Merz said at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney today.
“Canada knows this. We will not join this initiative. We don’t see the requirements met,” the German leader continued, Reuters news agency reported.
On Friday, a government spokesperson declared that Germany had no immediate plans to recognise a Palestinian state, calling such a development “counterproductive”.
“A negotiated two-state solution remains our goal, even if it seems a long way off today,” the spokesperson told a press briefing.
“Recognition of Palestine is more likely to come at the end of such a process. Right now, it would undermine efforts toward peace.”
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