REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, STOCKHOLM - Sweden's decision to recognize the Palestine state - without formally consulting its allies - may herald a wider foreign policy shift that has at its heart the aim of asserting a new diplomatic weight around the world.

The ruling Social Democrats had signaled in their election manifesto an intention to recognize Palestine. But the speed of their post-election announcement, made during Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven's inaugural address to parliament on Friday, surprised some countries including Israel.

Until now Sweden, under a center-right government, has been close to Washington, active in Western military operations, and a vocal proponent of EU market reform. In making it the first major West European country to recognize the Palestine state, Sweden's new center-left government looks like it is suggesting a change of direction on several of those fronts.

"We hope that this will give a new dynamic to the discussion of what is going on in the Middle East," Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told Reuters.

Wallstrom, who after Friday's government statement tweeted: "New role for Sweden in the world!" also told Reuters Sweden would now be less enthusiastic about working with NATO, and push a foreign policy that looked at disarmament and womens' rights.

"The areas you will see a clear difference ... there will be more focus on the United Nations ... including disarmament issues," said Wallstrom, a former EU vice-president and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

"This will also be a feminist foreign policy, meaning that in everything we do the perspective of women, peace and security will be integrated."

The move to recognize Palestine appeared to have circumvented formal diplomatic circles, another sign that Sweden was determined to make its mark quickly.

Washington said Sweden's recognition of Palestine was premature and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the declaration was counter-productive.

In response Wallstrom told local Swedish television: "It was expected that we would get criticism for this but it's not the United States who decides our foreign policy."

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