Lithuania advocates for a broad European consensus on the recognition of a Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has said.
“We are probably looking for the broadest possible European solution,” Landsbergis told reporters on Thursday.
According to Landsbergis, however, it is difficult to say when EU member countries will agree on Palestine.
“The EU is divided into three groups: a group of states that is completely opposed to any step forward, a group that wants it to be done more quickly, and there is the centre,” the minister said.
“Lithuania has always been at the centre, and our fundamental stance is that Lithuania supports a two-state solution, while, of course, also respecting the principles of international law,” he added.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in March that he would propose that his country’s parliament recognise a Palestinian state.
In a joint statement issued on March 22, the leaders of Spain and three other countries – Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia – expressed “readiness to recognise Palestine” when “the circumstances are right”.
Landsbergis said that the situation in the Gaza Strip is “really bad and causes great concern”.
“While Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorist attacks and demand the release of abducted people, it must ensure the principles of civil-humanitarian law. This is where both Lithuania and many of its partners have doubts about compliance,” he said.
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