Sweden’s Palestine statement signals start of weightier global role
9 Oct 2014 6:48 AM IST
Sweden’s decision to recognise the Palestine state - without formally consulting its allies - may herald a wider foreign policy shift that has at its heart the aim of asserting a new diplomatic weight around the world.
The ruling Social Democrats had signalled in their election manifesto an intention to recognise Palestine. But the speed of their post-election announcement, made during Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s inaugural address to parliament on Friday, surprised some countries including Israel.
Until now Sweden, under a centre-right government, has been close to Washington, active in Western military operations, and a vocal proponent of EU market reform. In making it the first major West European country to recognise the Palestine state, Sweden’s new centre-left government looks like it is suggesting a change of direction on several of those fronts.‘We hope that this will give a new dynamic to the discussion of what is going on in the Middle East,’ Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told Reuters. Wallstrom tweeted: ‘New role for Sweden in the world!’ also told Reuters Sweden would now be less enthusiastic about working with NATO.’
The ruling Social Democrats had signalled in their election manifesto an intention to recognise Palestine. But the speed of their post-election announcement, made during Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s inaugural address to parliament on Friday, surprised some countries including Israel.
Until now Sweden, under a centre-right government, has been close to Washington, active in Western military operations, and a vocal proponent of EU market reform. In making it the first major West European country to recognise the Palestine state, Sweden’s new centre-left government looks like it is suggesting a change of direction on several of those fronts.‘We hope that this will give a new dynamic to the discussion of what is going on in the Middle East,’ Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told Reuters. Wallstrom tweeted: ‘New role for Sweden in the world!’ also told Reuters Sweden would now be less enthusiastic about working with NATO.’
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