Al-Malki urges Spain to recognise Palestine state

Palestinian Foreign Minister Reyad al-Malki Wednesday called on Spain to recognise the state of Palestine after its parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favour of establishing a Palestinian state.

Al-Malki said in an emailed press statement that the Palestinian leadership expresses gratitude to the Spanish kingdom and all Spanish political parties for this historic move.

"The Spanish parliament's recognition is a progressed historic position and expresses the strong ties between Spain and the Palestinian people. This recognition also shows Spain's commitment to the international resolutions and law," Xinhua cited the statement as saying.

Right after the voting, al-Malki phoned his Spanish counterpart and called on Spain's government to officially recognise the state of Palestine.

The top Palestinian diplomat also called on other European countries to follow Spain for the success of "a serious and productive peace process between Israel and the Palestinians based on the principle of the two-state solution".

Several weeks ago, the British House of Commons also recognised the establishment of a Palestinian state on the territories occupied by Israel in 1967. Sweden's parliament and government also recognised the state of Palestine.