AA / London / Aysu Bicer

Ireland has established full diplomatic relations with Palestine, officially recognizing it as a state, Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin announced on Tuesday.

“Today's government decision authorizes the establishment of full diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine,” Martin Xil said in a statement.

The decision involved the transfer of the diplomatic mission to the Palestinian Embassy in Ireland, subject to a formal request by the Palestinian Authority.

In addition, an ambassador from the State of Palestine will be appointed to Ireland.

Ireland's current representative office in Ramallah will be converted into an embassy.

“Recognition of Palestine is not the end of a process, it is the beginning,” Martin stressed, highlighting a “long-term development cooperation program.”

“It is essential that the Palestinian Authority receives the full support of the international community in its reform efforts, and we will redouble our efforts to this end,” he added.

The Irish diplomatic chief has held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa and consulted with European and Arab partners in recent days on the Arab peace vision, which he described as an important path to lasting peace.

“Ireland will continue to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and our European and international partners to create a political path that can end this terrible conflict and humanitarian tragedy,” Martin said.

He also emphasized the importance of realizing the vision of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel.

* Translated from English by Mounir Bennoor.

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