BICOM

Yesterday, Norway upgraded its diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority and said that the Palestinian delegation in Oslo will be recognised as a diplomatic mission and received the ambassadorial rank. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday that the Palestinians would continue their plan to seek a vote in favour of statehood at the United Nations in September. The announcement came at a press conference with Abbas and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere who met yesterday. The Norwegian foreign minister said, “We will consider very carefully the proposed text that’s to be put forward by the Palestinians in the coming weeks.”  Stoere added that it was perfectly legitimate for Abbas to turn to the UN General Assembly to seek recognition for a Palestinian state and also added that negotiations with Israel will still be necessary.

Norway is inclined to vote in favour of a Palestinian state, but said that it will depend on the text of the exact proposal. “I don’t think that any Palestinians or anybody around the world are in doubt that Norway supports Palestinians’ right to statehood,” Stoere said. Norway sits as the chair of a group of Palestinian donor nations, which have contributed financial aid to help Abbas and the Palestinian economy.