Sweden will recognize Palestinian statehood

Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said Friday that his government will recognize the state of Palestine.

The move will make Sweden the first major European country to recognize Palestinian statehood, according to Reuters.

"The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be solved with a two-state solution, negotiated in accordance with international law," Lofven said in his inaugural address. "A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and a will to peaceful co-existence. Sweden will therefore recognize the state of Palestine."

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Meanwhile, the U.K. parliament will vote whether to recognize Palestinian statehood on Oct. 13. The U.N. General Assembly "approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine in 2012," Reuters notes, but most EU countries have not given Palestinian statehood official recognition.