Sweden has become the first European country to recognize the state of Palestine. In an interview, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said recognition of Palestinian statehood will help advance the cause of peace.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström: “We believe that this is an important step towards a two-state solution. We hope that this will inspire and hopefully give some new energy into the negotiations. And we of course know and expect that there will be both applause and criticism, but we will engage in a dialogue and in talks with our partners and other countries from both camps.”

The move was one of the first announced by Sweden’s new center-left government after the Social Democratic Party won national elections last month.