Spain, Ireland And Other EU States Could Recognise Palestine On 21 May, Borrell Says

Spain, Ireland and other like-minded EU member states could recognise the State of Palestine on 21 May, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, has said.

ADVERTISEMENT

In an interview on Spanish national radio RNE on Thursday, Borrell was asked to confirm reports in Irish media that Spain, Ireland and a handful of other EU member states could formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 21.

Borrell confirmed the plans, adding that the Spanish foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, had told him that 21 May was the proposed date.

Borrell had been attending an event to celebrate Europe Day in Madrid along with Albares hours earlier.

Irish diplomatic sources have confirmed to Euronews that a group of European countries is proposing to recognise a Palestinian state during the month of May, with the 21st a possible date, but not set in stone.

The source added that the date could shift to allow other countries, including non-EU country Norway, to move in tandem.

Borrell also mentioned Slovenia as one of the countries that could join the joint recognition after the government in Ljubljana passed a decree on recognising the Palestinian state earlier on Thursday.

The EU's top diplomat also added that Belgium could soon follow suit, as it was delaying the recognition while waiting for more countries to get on board. 

Malta could also join, having backed a declaration of intent during a March summit of the European Council.

It comes as the UN General Assembly votes on Friday on a resolution to make the State of Palestine a full member of the United Nations, where they currently hold observer status.

Nine of the EU’s 27 member states currently recognise Palestinians' right to a state according to the so-called 1967 borders, which include the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

Malta, along with eastern states such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia, have recognised the Palestinians' right to statehood since 1988. In 2014, Sweden became the first member state to unilaterally recognise Palestinians' right to statehood while a member of the bloc.

Although the European Union supports the so-called two-state solution - which would deliver statehood for Palestinians - and is the single biggest donor of aid to Palestinians, it has not yet unanimously backed the recognition of a Palestinian state.

European Council President Charles Michel told Euronews in April that member states willing to recognise the State of Palestine should move in tandem in order to "trigger significant progress" in building peace in the war-torn region.

RECENT NEWS

Upper Age Limits For Clubs Are Common In South Korea. Now Japan Is Following Suit

The chain claims it merely wants its patrons’ preferences to match its boisterous atmosphere, but the move has sparked... Read more

From Berlin To Tenerife: All The Destinations Ryanair Wont Fly To Anymore In 2026

Ryanair has added another French airport to its list of route cuts for 2026, citing aviation taxes. Read more

Want To Book A Bargain Holiday? Try Skyscanners New Cheapest Destination Planner

Travellers can select the month of travel and the new tool will show the best-value destinations by average flight price... Read more

Residents Have Reached Breaking Point: Italian Valley Restricts Access To Famed Photo Spot

It comes after residents expressed frustration over traffic and tourists clogging up the town’s parking places and tre... Read more

Fitur 2026: Innovation, Sustainability And A Tribute To The Adamuz Accident Victims

Fitur 2026 brought together more than 10,000 travel companies from 161 countries in Madrid. Read more

Whirling Dervishes, Sand-covered Elephants And Sukhothai At Dawn: 2025s Best Travel Photos Revealed

After more than 20,000 entries, a panel of international experts has selected the best images in the world of travel pho... Read more