Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said that the process toward recognizing a Palestinian state “should begin now.”
However, he emphasized that for Germany, official recognition would likely come at the end of this process, not at the beginning.
“A negotiated two-state solution remains the only viable path to achieving a lasting resolution of the conflict,” Wadephul said, stressing that it would allow people on both sides to live in peace, security, and dignity.
His statement comes ahead of his planned visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Several countries announced on Wednesday that they are considering formal recognition of a Palestinian state before the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September in New York.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of these countries described recognizing Palestine as a key step toward achieving a two-state solution and called on other nations to join their commitment.
The declaration was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Portugal, Andorra, and San Marino — states that have yet to formally recognize Palestine. The statement also includes countries that have already done so, such as Iceland, Ireland, and Spain.
