Vatican Fully Recognizes The State of Palestine As The Comprehensive Agreement Enters Into Force

by Jean Marie Abellana / Jan 08, 2016 08:12 AM EST

Vatican recognizes Palestine as a state and an equal partner. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

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L'Osservatore Romano published an article on June 26 about the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement between the State of Palestine and the Vatican. The accord, which covered the activities and life of the Catholic Church in Palestine while also reaffirming the Holy See's support to end the conflict in the region, was the first treaty entered into since Vatican recognizedPalestine as a state in February 2013.

The agreement was signed by Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican's Secretary for Relations With States, and Dr. Riad Al-Malki, Palestine's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

While the said treaty was perceived as a motion to improve the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine, Israel condemned it saying that it was a "hasty step that damages the prospects for advancing a peace agreement," Reuters noted on Jun. 26.

Despite the strong condemnation of Israel against the said agreement, Vatican remained eager to establish a significant role in the Middle East that is rooted in soft diplomacy.

On Jan. 2, the Holy See announced that the comprehensive agreement forged last year has come into full force, implying that the Holy See fully supports the "much-desired two-state solution," Russia Today reported Sunday.

"The Holy See and the State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for its [the agreement's] entry into force have been fulfilled, under the terms of Article 30 of the same Agreement," both countries said in a joint statement.

Furthermore, this step has extended a full and official recognition to Palestine as an equal partner of Vatican, and sealed support to the resolution of the 2012 United Nations General Assembly that granted Palestine a non-member observer status.

"The Agreement ... regards essential aspects of the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, while at the same time reaffirming the support for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region," said the Vatican.