The German government said it has no immediate plans to recognise a Palestinian state, arguing that such a step would be counterproductive to achieving a negotiated two-state solution with Israel. At a Berlin press conference on 22 Aug 2025, a spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration said recognition should come only at the conclusion of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. "A negotiated two-state solution remains our goal, even if it seems a long way off today," the spokesman told reporters. Berlin’s stance contrasts with recent signals from countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, France and Canada, which have indicated they might recognise Palestinian statehood under certain conditions. The German government maintains that premature recognition could undermine diplomatic leverage needed to restart talks between the parties.