Recognition of the Palestinian state remains a divisive issue among European Union (EU) countries due to historical reasons, said former President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. Currently, over 150 nations have declared their recognition of the Palestinian state. Among them are 15 out of the 27 EU countries. On the sidelines of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, Barroso talked with China Global Television Network (CGTN), where he discussed the bloc's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. "This is probably the most difficult issue in foreign policy for the European Union. If you look at it, I'd say, more than 90 percent of the global issues, the European Union countries, they are aligned, very much aligned honestly. But this issue, for historical reasons, is very divisive. In the European Union, we are 27 countries. We share a lot of things in common. We share sovereignty, but the countries are still sovereign. And one of the issues where they are sovereign is about recognition of third states. So it's true that not all countries now in Europe recognize the Palestinian state. Most have done it now," Barroso said. He stressed that, difficult as the reconciliation is, any effort will be appreciated to achieve peace. "Generally speaking, the world would like to see peace. What's going on is such a tragedy. So many suffering. That could have been avoided, and now it's not avoided. So the world would like to have peace. That for me, it's still difficult to see a true reconciliation in the foreseeable future. Anyhow, all the efforts are welcome," said Barroso. SHOTLIST: FILE: Ramallah, West Bank - 2024 1. Various of Palestinian presidential headquarters; flag of Palestine; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Oct 2, 2025 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Manuel Barroso, former President, European Commission (partially overlaid with shots 3-4): "This is probably the most difficult issue in foreign policy for the European Union. If you look at it, I'd say, more than 90 percent of the global issues, the European Union countries, they are aligned, very much aligned honestly. But this issue, for historical reasons, is very divisive. In the European Union, we are 27 countries. We share a lot of things in common. We share sovereignty, but the countries are still sovereign. And one of the issues where they are sovereign is about recognition of third states. So it's true that not all countries now in Europe recognize the Palestinian state. Most have done it now."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Brussels, Belgium - June 27, 2024 3. EU flags, Berlaymont building; FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2022 4. EU flags; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Sept 15, 2025 5. Al-Ghafri Tower collapsing in attack, thick smoke; 6. Crowd near collapsed building; Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Recent 7. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble, residents; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Oct 2, 2025 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Manuel Barroso, former President, European Commission (starting with shot 7): "Generally speaking, the world would like to see peace. What's going on is such a tragedy. So many suffering. That could have been avoided, and now it's not avoided. So the world would like to have peace. That for me, it's still difficult to see a true reconciliation in the foreseeable future. Anyhow, all the efforts are welcome."; Gaza Strip - Recent 9. Various of vehicles moving, displaced Palestinians walking; 10. Various of tents. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]