Sweden recognizes Palestinian state, hopes will revive peace process Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wollstrom ottends o news conference at the Rosenbad government building in Stockholm October 30, 2014. SIMON JOHNSON: October 30, 2014 (Reuters) - The Swedish government officially recognized the state of Palestine on Thursday and said there were signs other European Union states would follow its lead. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told reporters her government hoped it would bring a new dynamic to efforts to end decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Our decision comes at a critical time because over the last year we have seen how the peace talks have stalled, how decisions over new settlements on occupied Palestinian land have complicated a two-state solution and how violence has returned to Gaza," she said. Israel recalled its ambassador for consultations, saying the move was counterproductive and would hurt prospects for future negotiations. But Sweden's decision drew praise from Palestinians who called on other countries to match it - a hope which Wallstrom said was likely to be fulfilled in time. "There is an ongoing debate in many other EU member states and hopefully also a move in this direction," she said. "There are clearly signs that this might happen in other member states as well". 1 age of 3 EFTA01206695