Recognition of Palestine as an independent state is not a panacea for creating peace, says Lars Løkke Rasmussen. More and more EU countries are looking to recognize Palestine as an independent state in order to build momentum behind a two-state solution. However, this is not the right path to take, according to Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M). He does not agree with the analysis that early recognition of Palestine would pave a new path to peace. “We have different assessments of the role different countries should play. The Danish government would very much like to participate in an international effort to create momentum behind a peace agreement,” the foreign minister says. But so far, the recognition of Palestinian statehood by other countries has not paid off. “Sweden recognized Palestine a few years ago, and it did not create any momentum. A number of other countries have done the same, without resulting in a two-state solution,” says Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

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