Earlier in the day, local media reported that Greek lawmakers are preparing a possible vote to recognize the state of Palestine within the 1967 borders, to be held in the coming months.
"Syriza's Commission on Foreign Affairs is convinced in the need for soonest resolution of the Palestinian problem through the creation of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem and its recognition by other countries… This decision does not necessarily entail the deterioration of relations with Israel," Mustafa, one of the three lawmakers of Turkish origin in the Greek parliament, said.
Palestine has sought recognition of its status as an independent state, comprising parts of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the start of the Israeli occupation following the 1967 Six-Day War. Despite Israel's continued resistance to the initiative, a number of states, including eight members of the European Union, have in recent years recognized Palestinian statehood, alongside 135 of the 193 United Nations member states.
Russia has diplomatically recognized the State of Palestine.
