RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinians celebrated Europe Day on May 7 in Ramallah, along with the Office of the European Union Representative-West Bank, Gaza Strip. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah inaugurated the celebrations that included projects funded by the EU in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Through this event, Palestinians seek to bolster their relations with the EU.

Days after the event, on May 13, the Vatican recognized the state of Palestine, as the Vatican and the Palestinian Authority (PA) signed a draft agreement on the relations with the Holy See. The draft stipulates the organization of the Vatican’s activities in the regions that fall under the control of the PA. The draft also represents an official recognition of Palestine by the Vatican. These developments have stirred debate about the nature of the ties between Palestine and the EU.

During the celebration of Europe Day in Ramallah, which Al-Monitor attended, Hamdallah described relations with the EU as “historical. The EU is our main strategic partner in our path toward freedom, independence and the establishment of a state.” Hamdallah noted that Palestinians “are looking forward to more European countries recognizing the state of Palestine in the future.”

The European Commission offices in the West Bank and Gaza were established in 1994, upon the signing of the Oslo Accord, which stipulated the EU’s financial support to the PA and the EU’s political role in the peace process file, as a member of the Quartet. The EU representative to Palestine, John Gatt-Rutter, did not ignore the EU-PA relationship, as he confirmed on May 7: “The EU is the major partner and supporter of Palestine, and will continue to support the Palestinian people in several issues, mainly the establishment of a Palestinian state in the context of a two-state solution and through direct negotiations between Palestine and Israel.”