Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar called on Croatia to recognize Palestine, emphasizing that a two-state solution cannot be advocated if both sides are not recognized.
Slovenia recognized Palestine in June last year, joining Spain and Norway, which also decided to make this move after the start of the war in Gaza.
France, Australia and the UK have announced that they will recognize Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly this month. According to the Palestinian foreign minister, “a dozen more countries” intend to do so.
Slovenia also introduced an embargo on the export of weapons to Israel, the import of products from illegal settlements in the occupied territories, and declared two far-right ministers in the Israeli government to be 'persona non grata'.
On the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum, the Slovenian president rejected criticism that the recognition means legitimizing Hamas, stressing that "everyone condemned" the actions of the Palestinian militant movement that rules the Gaza Strip.
But advocating a two-state solution, which is the official position of the European Union, but also of Croatia, makes no sense if both countries are not recognized, Pirc Musar emphasized.
"I think this is one small step towards getting that solution with Palestine and Israel as two independent states. I don't see any other way, we need to get recognition, and then do everything that needs to be done at the international level."
Asked if this was also a message to Croatia, whose government has not yet recognized Palestine, the Slovenian president answered in the affirmative.
"I think all countries in the world should recognize Palestine," she emphasized.
"Palestine needs to be independent, it needs to live its own life and the people there need dignity. We need to show the heart that I hope still exists in politicians."
The position of the Croatian government is that before recognition, a long-term sustainable political solution with two states must be achieved and the empowerment of those political actors who are "democratic, credible and can hold a functional government", said Plenković earlier. In other words, according to the government, recognition only makes sense when it can be implemented.
Croatian President Zoran Milanović, however, strongly advocates Croatian recognition of Palestine and last week called on the government to initiate this process in Parliament.
Photo: HINA/Admir Buljubašić
