Promises and demands at Abbas’ visit to Sweden – Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet

Promises and demands at Abbas' visit to Sweden – Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet

At a meeting in Stockholm signed Abbas and Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven a five-year cooperation agreement. But at the same time discussed human rights, women’s rights, anti-corruption and new peace negotiations – areas in which Sweden now claim to set tougher requirements.

– Sweden’s recognition of Palestine also comes with more responsibility, says Stefan Löfven after the meeting.

Despite the fact that Sweden’s recognition of Palestine met with anger in Israel, Sweden can maintain good relations with both countries, says Löfven.

– We are convinced that people both in Israel and Palestine right to peace.

Mahmoud Abbas their part, paid tribute to the Swedish recognition of the State of Palestine, a move which, according to Abbas strengthen the prospects for a two state solution.

– Our hands will be extended for to achieve peace and this gives us Israelis, an outstretched hand, he said.

But the conflict with Israel is not his only headache. The Palestinian “unity government” was formed last year shaken by a disagreement between Abbas’ Fatah movement and of Sweden terror stamped Hamas. There are not yet able to deliver what they promised, including elections. Abbas himself was elected in 2005 and his political mandate had expired in 2009 if it was not for the elections repeatedly postponed.

Fatah and Hamas blame each other for the delays that have raised questions about the parties’ political legitimacy. But Abbas declares that he, despite Hamas’ lead in opinion, want to see choices and Palestinians through them can choose a peaceful way.

– If Hamas accepts it, we will immediately go to the polls, and in the state, the people choose what they stand by, he said.

Bear Brenner, Middle East Researchers at the National Defence College, sums up the press conference in two points:

– Regarding Cooperation Agreement, there are no mandatory requirements. There are many carrots, but no sticks at all. The second major point is that the elephant in the room is Hamas. Hamas plays a very big role, and we have the last few days discussing how democratic Abbas is in the form of corruption and restrictions on freedom of the press, but the big question is how to deal with Hamas, he said.

How Fatah will integrate with Hamas does not respond Abbas on, but says that it is up to the voters if it is Hamas or Fatah line to follow, says Brenner.

– The primary according to him is that there will be elections in Palestine. But when I ask if it is a democratic approach.

Later in the evening inaugurated Abbas, the Palestinian Embassy in Sweden at a ceremony where Lisbeth Palme received the posthumous honorary award to Olof Palme from the Palestinians.

– He was convinced that political solutions without violence is necessary, she says.