Palestinian policy is aimed at obtaining recognition of the independent Palestinian state from a larger number of countries; there are European countries ready to recognize its independence, Palestinian Ambassador in Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal told Sputnik.
The diplomat took part in an action of solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, organized by the Venezuelan Embassy in Russia.
"Our main policy is to increase the number of countries recognizing the Palestinian state. About 149 countries recognize the Palestinian state; there are also a number of European countries ready for this recognition," the ambassador said.
He recalled that a number of Latin American countries — Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua — had severed their relations with Israel. Nofal noted that Latin America showed solidarity — not only among governments but also among peoples — in supporting the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to cease hostilities. According to Moscow’s position, a settlement is possible only on the basis of the formula approved by the UN Security Council with the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.