Vatican recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty | World Defense

Vatican recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty

BLACKEAGLE

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A small group of pro Palestine demonstrators waves flags as Pope Francis celebrates the Angelus noon prayer from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. (AP)

The Associated Press, Vatican City
Wednesday, 13 May 2015

The Vatican has officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty.

The treaty, which was finalized Wednesday but still has to be signed, makes clear that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic relations from the Palestine Liberation Organization to the state of Palestine.

The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the U.N. General Assembly in 2012 to recognize a Palestinian state. But the treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Holy See and the Palestinian state and constitutes an official diplomatic recognition.

"Yes, it's a recognition that the state exists," said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to visit Pope Francis on Saturday before the canonization of two new saints from the Holy Land a day later.

The Vatican has been referring unofficially to the state of Palestine for at least a year.

During Pope Francis' 2014 visit to the Holy Land, the Vatican's official program referred to Abbas as the president of the "state of Palestine." In the Vatican's latest yearbook, the Palestinian ambassador to the Holy See is listed as representing "Palestine (state of)."

The Vatican's foreign minister, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, acknowledged the change in status, given that the treaty was initially inked with the PLO and is now being finalized with the "state of Palestine." But he said the shift was simply in line with the Holy See's position.


Last Update: Wednesday, 13 May 2015 KSA 19:26 - GMT 16:26
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/05/13/Vatican-recognizes-state-of-Palestine-in-new-treaty.html
 

Scorpion

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Good going. I hope Italy as a state recognize the Palestinian state.
 

Redheart

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More and more nations are starting to openly declare they recognize Palestine as a State. First it was France then Ireland said they were thinking about it, the Vatican . . . and maybe many more nations will join them. It's good for Palestine. I wonder though if when the right time comes, Israel will surrender the West Bank land they've seized.
 
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