Sweden officially recognises the State of Palestine, foreign minister Margot Wallström announced on October 30.<br /><br />The country becomes the first EU member state to do so, although Hungary, Slovakia and Poland each took this step before joining the Union. <br /><br />The declaration was widely expected. During his inaugural speech earlier in October, newly-elected Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said that it would come.<br /><br />Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he welcomed the announcement. <br />Israel, however, has criticised the move.<br /><br />Wallström made reference to Israeli-Swedish ties during her announcement.<br /><br />“We hope that this will be received in a balanced and constructive way by Israel. We are hopeful that our excellent cooperation will continue,” she said.<br /><br />Palestinians are seeking statehood in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in Gaza, with East Jerusalem forming the capital.<br /><br />In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly voted to give Palestinian officials access to UN agencies and approved the existing recognition of the state.<br /><br />However, the European Union has yet to give its official support.
