Malta to recognise Palestinian state in September
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1 of 3 Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela attends a European Union and
Western Balkans leaders' summit, in Brussels, Belgium December 13,
2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
[1/3]Malta's
Prime Minister Robert Abela attends a European Union and Western
Balkans leaders' summit, in Brussels, Belgium December 13, 2023.
REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights VALLETTA,
July 29 (Reuters) - Malta will declare recognition of a Palestinian
state during the general assembly of the United Nations in September,
Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Tuesday evening.
Abela made the announcement hours after a similar declaration by British Prime Minister
Keir Starmer and days after
France also announced its recognition plans.
"Our position reflects our commitment to efforts for a lasting peace in the Middle East," Abela said in a Facebook post.
The
Malta government had been under increasing pressure from within its
ranks to recognise a Palestinian state and the centre-right Opposition
in mid-July also called for immediate recognition.
The Mediterranean EU island has a history of support for Palestinian causes and has backed efforts for a two-state solution.
Abela
first announced plans for recognition of a Palestinian state in May,
saying it would take place at a United Nations conference in June, but
the conference was later postponed.
Ireland, Norway and Spain recognised Palestine as an independent state in May.
Reporting by Christopher Scicluna; Writing by Sara Rossi; Editing by Andrea Ricci