Saudi Arabia Applauds International Recognition of Palestinian State by European Nations

Kingdom Welcomes Latest Recognitions at UN Conference

Saudi Arabia has officially welcomed the recognition of the State of Palestine by a new wave of countries, including France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino. This significant diplomatic development took place during a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, co-chaired by the Kingdom and France at the United Nations General Assembly headquarters in New York.

The conference, held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, saw Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, deliver a statement on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prince Faisal thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for France's formal declaration of recognition and urged other nations to follow suit.

Saudi Arabia's Consistent Stance on Palestinian Self-Determination

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement affirming that the 'continued recognition of the State of Palestine by various countries reaffirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, as well as to establish their own state, to live in peace and security on their land, and to achieve their aspirations for stability and prosperity.'

The Kingdom reiterated its call to all countries to recognize the Palestinian state and to take concrete steps to support the Palestinian Authority and consolidate the two-state solution. This approach is deemed essential to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, safeguard their inalienable rights, and enable all countries in the region to live in lasting peace and security.

Broader International Momentum for Palestinian Statehood

The recent recognitions in September 2025 follow earlier moves by other nations. In May 2024, Norway, Spain, and Ireland also formally recognized the State of Palestine, a decision that was similarly applauded by Saudi Arabia. Additionally, countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal were noted to have recognized Palestine around the same period as the September 2025 conference.

These actions contribute to a growing international consensus, with 157 of the 193 UN member states, representing 81 percent of the international community, now recognizing Palestine as a sovereign nation. The Saudi-French conference and the subsequent recognitions underscore the diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and just peace based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.

Call for a Just and Lasting Peace

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasized that these recognitions are crucial for paving a 'reliable and irreversible path toward just lasting peace that upholds Palestinian rights.' The ongoing diplomatic push, particularly through initiatives like the Saudi-French co-chaired conference, aims to accelerate the implementation of the two-state solution as the only viable path to peace in the Middle East.