Sanchez reiterates support for a Palestinian state and signs cooperation agreements amid ongoing Gaza war

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, met with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, on Thursday. The meeting comes six months after Spain and other European Union countries recognised the Palestinian state amid the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.

Sánchez welcomed his Palestinian counterpart to the Moncloa Palace. It is the first such high-level meeting since the Palestinian state was recognised by Spain in May.

The two states aim to improve their relations in various areas, and to this end have signed several collaboration agreements in the fields of labour, education, youth and agriculture.

An expert who spoke to Euronews said he believes the meeting, though conducted within formal diplomatic avenues, may have a special significance: "It is consistent with the government's international agenda, but given the international geopolitical situation, it is a very important meeting," said Álex Cortés, a consultant in regulatory analysis and impact.

It is significant "not only for Palestine, but also for Spain and for the positioning of our country internationally," adds Cortés, stressing that "we also have to be very prudent and act with common sense when it comes to international policy decisions."

He also emphasised that is is important to also be "on the side of countries that defend democracy and the rule of law." His comment in this instance was in reference to Israel, criticising the fact that Spain has taken the side of only one of the two parties involved in the conflict.

During the meeting, the Spanish President was accompanied by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Employment, Yoanda Díaz. Also present were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, the Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and the Minister of Education and government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, as well as the Minister of Youth and Children, Sira Rego. The Palestinian Prime Minister was accompanied by a large delegation made up of his ministers of Labour, Interior and Education.

On 19 September, Pedro Sánchez also received the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, at the Moncloa Palace, in what was the first state visit since the recognition of Palestine came into effect.

Recognition of the Palestinian state

Pedro Sánchez is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. In May this year, he announced the official recognition of the Palestinian state by the Council of Ministers. "Spain will thus join the more than 140 countries that already recognise Palestine as a state," he said at the time.

Other European countries, such as Ireland and Norway, followed suit in an attempt to seek a resolution to the conflict in Gaza. For the time being, Spain's move has only served to deteriorate diplomatic relations with Israel, whose diplomatic staff decided to depart the country at the time.

During his visit to Spain in September, Mahmoud Abbas called for a Middle East Peace Conference in Madrid, similar to the Madrid Conference held in 1991 that sought to launch a peace process in the region.