MADRID, November 19. /TASS/. The lower house of Spain’s parliament unanimously approved a law on the recognition of the independence of the State of Palestine, Efe News Agency said on Tuesday.

The coexistence of the two states — Israel and Palestine — is the only possible way to resolve the conflict in the region, the lower house said. Then the law will be submitted to the upper house.

Earlier, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose Garcia-Margallo said if Spain recognied the independence of Palestine, this “should not be considered a purely symbolic act. It should serve the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Middle East”.

Sweden recognizes Palestine

On October 30, the government of Sweden has formally recognized the State of Palestine.

A decision to this effect was taken at a government session, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem said. “The government says the criteria of international law for recognizing Palestine have been fulfilled,” she wrote in an article published in Sweden’s daily Dagens Nyheter.

“Just as we make clear demands on Israel, we’ll do this towards Palestine. For example, this is related to the fight against corruption, the respect of civil and political rights, and the growth of women influence,” Wallstroem said.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hailed the decision and considered it historical. He urged other countries to follow Sweden’s example.