HELSINKI, October 8. /TASS/. Sweden hopes that its position on the possible recognition of the State of Palestine will spur discussion in the European Union, Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said on Wednesday.

She did not specify when Sweden could officially recognize Palestine and said that the criticism of the new Swedish leadership’s statements to this effect made last week was quite expected.

Wallstrom said this position would not affect her country’s relations with the United States and Israel.

She said Sweden would continue maintaining good relations with both Israel and the US.