Belgian legislators refine text recognizing Palestinian state; government holds off on timing

From left, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier pose during a group photo at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014. NATO’s chief says alliance foreign ministers are poised to make a number of key decisions, including the shift to a non-combat role for NATO-led forces in Afghanistan beginning Jan. 1. 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) (The Associated Press)

BRUSSELS – Belgian legislators are working on a resolution to recognize a Palestinian state but the government says any timing to proceed will depend on European Union action.

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said he first will push for a new EU initiative to bring Israel and the Palestinian authorities back to the negotiating table to reinvigorate the peace process.

Belgian legislators are completing work on a text and it was still unclear when the resolution would be tabled, said an official from a leading coalition party, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the process was continuing.

On Tuesday, France's lower house already voted to urge the government to recognize a Palestinian state. On Oct. 30, Sweden became the first western European nation to recognize Palestinian statehood.