THESSALONIKI, Greece 

France’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state intends to contribute to the two-state solution, said the former French Defense Minister Florence Parly on Friday.

Speaking at a session on European foreign and security policies, within the scope of an event organized by The Economist in Greece’s northern port city of Thessaloniki, Parly, who served as defense minister under President Macron from 2017 to 2022, said: “Although this act will not immediately end the war in Gaza, it can pave the way for a feasible solution, namely the creation of two states that will coexist in security and peace.”

France sees this decision as a strong political as well as moral act, she added.

Parly also maintained that Europe presently faces two profound challenges: the rise of China as a global power and ongoing major conflicts with direct influence on European politics, security, and economy.

Against this background, Europe should work more seriously for strategic autonomy, which became even more imperative after US disengagement from European security as manifested by top US officials, including President Trump himself, she explained.

France and several European countries, including Belgium, the UK, Canada, and Australia, plan to recognize Palestinian statehood during the upcoming meetings of the UN General Assembly on September 8-23, joining 147 nations that already do.

Israel has so far killed over 64,200 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.