The government is not currently preparing to recognise a Palestinian state, according to Yle sources.
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Finnish premier Petteri Orpo (NCP). Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Thursday said the government will not push a proposal to recognise Palestine before next week’s UN General Assembly (GA) meeting.
Several western countries have indicated they are preparing to recognise Palestine during the United Nations meeting in New York next week.
Orpo noted that the GA meeting is not a deadline for recognition.
“The UN General Assembly is not a deadline for recognition. The government is holding internal discussions and preparing for the meeting, based on the foreign and security policy guidelines approved by parliament, which support and aim for a two-state solution,” he said.
According to information obtained by Yle, the government is not preparing recognition, and it will not happen by Monday’s meeting.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Orpo repeated his earlier view that supporting a two-state solution ultimately means recognising a Palestinian state.
He stressed that the most urgent priorities now are to stop the killing in Gaza, to end breaches of international law and to deliver humanitarian aid.
He also highlighted that an important step toward a two-state solution is the declaration prepared by France and Saudi Arabia, which Finland has joined on the decision of Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP).