Sweden recognizes Palestinian state, hopes will revive peace process --- (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". -- Read More, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/30/us-sweden-palestinians-recognition-idUSKBN0IJ1DU20141030