PRAGUE, September 5, 2016 (WAFA) – The foreign ministry of the Czech Republic Monday clarified its position on the status of Jerusalem.

It said in a statement delivered to its Palestinian counterpart that “[w]ith reference to some media reports on the status of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs about the following:

“The State of Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital. The status of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel is not internationally recognized. Based on the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions, the Czech Republic, together with other EU Member States, considers Jerusalem as the future capital of both states, i.e. the State of Israel and the future State of Palestine. Tel Aviv is currently the seat of most foreign missions, including the Embassy of the Czech Republic.”

A Palestinian government spokesman welcomed the announcement by the Czech foreign ministry.

Yousef al-Mahmoud said “the Czech Republic rejects the Israeli occupation and all its projects and settlements in occupied East Jerusalem which Israel tries to make into facts on the ground that would allow it to seize the capital of the state of Palestine.”

He praised the position of the Czech Republic as “responsible” saying that “it goes in line with international law and efforts to save the political process obstructed by the Israeli occupation.”

M.N./M.A.