ISTANBUL

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen urged Germany and Finland on Friday to recognize the state of Palestine, according to a statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.

Shaheen held separate meetings with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali‑Radovan on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Shaheen stressed that recognition of Palestine would represent essential support for the “rules-based international order and contribute to realizing the two-state solution and a just and lasting peace.”

The talks addressed developments in the political and humanitarian situation in Palestine, and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Discussions also covered Europe’s role in supporting efforts to achieve peace through ending the occupation in accordance with international law and UN resolutions within the framework of a two-state solution, the ministry said.