Vatican officially recognizes the state of Palestine

Vatican, SANA The Vatican on Wednesday recognized the state of Palestine.

The Vatican said that the recognition came within a treaty signed with Palestine providing for upgrading the diplomatic relations between them to the level of states.

“Yes, it’s a recognition that the state exists” Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.

The Vatican had welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution of 2012 over recognizing a Palestinian state and had referred to the Palestine state since. But the treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Vatican and the Palestinian
state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to pay a visit to Vatican to meet Pope Francis next Saturday.

About 135 states have recognized the State of Palestine and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state.

H. Zain/ Barry

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