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

Published December 03, 2015

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)

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.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/belgian-legislators-refine-text-recognizing-palestinian-state-government-holds-off-on-timing