“No state, no recognition”: Italy’s Tajani on Palestinian question

Recognizing a Palestinian state is not merely symbolic but a concrete step toward peace and stability, Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said on Monday after talks in Rome with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

“We discussed the recognition of the State of Palestine, and I clearly stated that such recognition is not symbolic. Recognition of the Palestinian state gives us a perspective for the future,” Shahin told reporters.

She stressed that recognition helps preserve the long-eroded two-state solution and “sends a clear message: the only solution is to recognize a Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside the State of Israel.”

Italy Cautious on Recognition

Italy, however, has reiterated that recognition cannot precede the creation of a Palestinian state.

“As long as there is no state, it is difficult to recognize it officially,” Tajani said. “We recognize the Palestinian Authority, which we welcomed with a true sense of friendship. Before recognizing a state, it must be created—otherwise it becomes wishful thinking and produces no effect. We are working for concrete results.”

The debate comes weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, scheduled for September 9–23 in New York.