Sweden became the ninth European country to upgrade the status of a Palestinian representative office to that of an embassy.
Parliament voted by an overwhelming majority to ratify a June 28 agreement between Stockholm and Ramallah on upgrading the Palestinian Authority’s mission here.
The agreement gives the PA’s representation in Sweden “the same privileges, immunities, exemptions and privileges as embassies and their representatives.” But lawmakers rejected an amendment calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state, with 179 votes against and 140 votes in favour of the proposal. In Nov, Sweden backed a resolution recognising the Palestinians as a non-member observer state at the UN.