At the initiative of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Hungary, and in cooperation with the Embassies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic, the French Ambassador hosted an official event on Thursday to mark the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine.

To date, 159 out of 193 United Nations member states have officially recognised the State of Palestine, and this event follows the International Conference held in New York last July in support of Palestinian rights.

The event was attended by representatives from over 35 diplomatic missions, including ambassadors and senior diplomats, who reiterated in their statements the importance of recognising the State of Palestine as a fundamental step toward affirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state.

budapest-embassies-palestine-recognition
Photo: Facebook/Fadi Elhusseini

In his remarks, H.E. Dr Fadi El-Husseini, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Hungary, emphasised that the importance of this occasion lies not only in the outcomes of the New York Conference but also in its symbolic value as a message of hope, as the recognition of the State of Palestine constitutes a cornerstone for achieving stability and peace in the region.

Furthermore, Ambassador El-Husseini underscored the moral obligation of the international community toward a nation that continues to struggle for independence and the realisation of its right to self-determination. Ambassador El-Husseini expressed his appreciation to the countries that have supported the Palestinian people and contributed to the recent ceasefire, noting that recognition of the State of Palestine reflects the ethical stance of nations that uphold the principles of justice and human rights. He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the French Embassy for hosting the event.

Watch the Ambassador’s speech below:

H.E. Mr Jeanathan Lacôte, Ambassador of the French Republic to Hungary, stated that the event was the outcome of joint efforts by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He affirmed that France’s recognition of the State of Palestine reflects its long-standing commitment to the two-state solution and its respect for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

H.E. Mr Majid Al-Abdan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Hungary, affirmed that recognition of the State of Palestine represents a clear expression of international solidarity and an affirmation of the Palestinian people’s legitimate legal and historical right to establish an independent state based on the 1967 borders, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant United Nations resolutions. Ambassador Al-Abdan stressed that this initiative serves as a reminder of the urgent need for coordinated and serious efforts to achieve the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

budapest-embassies-palestine-recognition
Photo: Facebook/Fadi Elhusseini

Speakers welcomed the ceasefire agreement announced earlier that morning, expressing hope that it would bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. They stressed that the ceasefire must serve as a first step toward ending the Israeli occupation and establishing the State of Palestine on the ground, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.