Spain plans to officially recognize the State of Palestine "before the summer," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told journalists joining him on an official trip to the Middle East, during an informal conversation on April 1, as reported by local media.

Earlier on March 9, Sanchez announced that he would put forward a proposal to parliament to recognize the state of Palestine.

“I will propose granting Spain’s recognition to the Palestinian state,” Sanchez said.

“I do this out of moral conviction, for a just cause, and because it is the only way that the two states, Israel and Palestine, can live together in peace,” he added. 

The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta released a joint statement on March 22 declaring that they would "recognize a Palestinian state."

The countries’ leaders decided 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,” the statement revealed as it also added that the four leaders discussed “readiness” to recognize an independent Palestine.

It added that they will take this step “when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right.” 

In February, both France and the UK said they were open to recognizing the Palestinian state, with British Foreign Minister David Cameron conditioning it to a ceasefire in Gaza.