By Murat Temizer
ANKARA
Sweden's recognition of Palestine may contribute to peace between Palestine and Israel, according to Thomas Sterner, Professor of Environmental Economics from University of Gothenburg.
"I don’t think it will have any major effect on our energy relations with other European countries," Sterner said, and added, "Hopefully, this will be a small contribution to some kind of understanding between Palestine and Israel."
Sweden’s relations with other European countries on economic and energy issues won’t be affected by its recognition of Palestine as sovereign country, according to Valdur Lahtvee, director of the Climate and Energy Program at the Stockholm Environment Institute in Tallinn Centre.
"Swedish energy trade is mostly tied to neighboring Nordic countries, with whom Sweden has long-lasting, close and traditionally extremely good relations which will not be affected by the recognition of Palestine," Lahtvee said.
He also said that Sweden has been known in the EU as a global forerunner of democracy, peace and human rights, thus the step taken by the new Swedish government is not a big surprise.
Sweden, in line with its statement made one month earlier – officially recognized the State of Palestine, and became the first EU member country to do so on 30 October.
Hungary, Slovakia and Poland, prior to joining the EU, already recognized Palestine.
Sweden's move caused Israel to summon its ambassador from Stockholm in protest on 31 October.
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