Spain plans to recognize Palestinian state 'before summer': Premier

WASHINGTON

Spain plans to officially recognize the State of Palestine "before the summer," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Monday.

Sanchez made the announcement during an informal conversation with journalists accompanying him on an official trip to the Middle East, according to local media reports.

On March 9, Sanchez said he would propose that Spain’s parliament recognizes a Palestinian state.

Recently, the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta released a joint statement announcing that they will recognize a Palestinian state.

The statement said the countries’ leaders agreed that “the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through the implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian States living side-by-side in peace and security.”