Stubb confirms he holds key to Finland’s recognition of Palestinian state

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has said the final decision on whether his country will recognise a Palestinian state rests with him, even as the government drafts the framework for such a move.

Speaking to Al Arabiya English on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Stubb explained: “The constitution in Finland is rather clear. It is the government that proposes the recognition of a state, and it is I, as an institution, as President, who recognise it.”

He reaffirmed Helsinki’s commitment to a two-state solution, saying it is “engraved not only in the government’s program, but also in the foreign and security policy papers that we work on.”

The president added that the government was “working on the modalities of how to recognise a Palestinian state,” and when the “time is ripe”, he expected ministers to present him with a proposal he would approve.

Stubb noted the growing momentum worldwide towards Palestinian recognition. “We now see an international movement of recognition, which I think is good,” he said.

He underlined Finland’s role in diplomatic initiatives alongside Saudi Arabia and France, pointing to his country’s involvement in negotiating and supporting their joint declaration on Palestinian statehood.

“We’re going one step at a time,” he added.

By Aghakazim Guliyev