EU defers Palestine recognition to member states, pledges aid, peace efforts in Gaza

The European Union does not dictate to its member states whether to recognise the State of Palestine, said Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality and Preparedness and Crisis Management

Lahbib emphasised that decisions on recognition remain entirely within the remit of individual countries, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

She added that the EU shares a consensus that the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe that must be halted.

Several European nations, she noted, are moving towards imposing sanctions on Israel in response to the ongoing conflict.

Lahbib also confirmed that the EU will continue efforts to revive negotiations between Hamas and Israel in an attempt to bring an end to the violence in Gaza.

European countries have already allocated €170 million in humanitarian aid to support residents of the blockaded territory.

By Aghakazim Guliyev