Malta's Prime Minister: We will recognize the Palestinian state next month
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday that his country will recognize the state of Palestine, ending a 45-year national debate on the issue.
Abela explained that recognition will not occur until next month at the two-state solution conference, and not immediately, according to Agence France-Presse.
Referring to the war in Gaza, he said that more than 50,000 people had lost their lives: "We cannot close our eyes to this humanitarian tragedy that is worsening day by day."
The announcement came during a political event, where Abela raised local and global issues, with a strong focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He also spoke about his experiences during a recent visit to refugee camps in Jordan, where he met Palestinian children who had been transferred to Malta for medical treatment.
Earlier, the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the government is prepared to recognize the Palestinian state when such recognition can make a positive contribution and when the conditions are right.
The ministry said in an emailed statement that authorities are monitoring developments in the Middle East to determine the optimal timeframe for recognition.