|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sweden-tells-abbas-aid-palestine-comes-responsibilities-211426313.html
Sweden Tells Abbas Aid to Palestine Comes with Responsibilities
(AFP) Sweden announced a $180 million Palestinian aid package Tuesday as President Mahmoud Abbas made his first visit to Stockholm since 2009. Sweden became the first major Western European country to recognize Palestine in October, but Prime Minister Stefan Loefven stressed that the recognition came with responsibilities. "According to us Palestine is now a state. Our expectations of Palestine and their leadership will therefore increase." "There is no contradiction between keeping good relations with Palestine and keeping good relations with Israel," Loefven added. The aid deal stretches until 2019 and will go toward projects to fight corruption and promote gender equality and human rights. Loefven said that Sweden would support Palestine in "setting a regional example when it comes to women's rights."