The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed Slovenia’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine.
This important and historic step advances the achievement of justice and freedom for the Palestinian people, and underscores their legitimate rights, including self-determination, said the OIC in a statement on Wednesday.
The OIC praised such positions, which it said are consistent with the rules of international law and relevant UN resolutions and strengthen international efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including the city of Jerusalem.
The OIC renewed its call on other countries which have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to take the initiative and do so and to support Palestine’s request for full membership in the United Nations.
Such moves would support international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the region according to the two-state solution and based on relevant international resolutions and 2002 Arabic peace initiative, it added.
Slovenia became the latest European Union country to recognize an independent Palestinian state after its parliament approved the move with majority vote on Tuesday.
The government last week decided to recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign state following in the steps of Spain, Ireland and Norway as part of a wider effort to coordinate pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza.
Of the 27 members of the EU, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognized a Palestinian state. Malta has said it could follow soon.
