AKIPRESS.COM - Norway has officially recognized the Palestinian state, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on the morning of May 22. The decision will come into force on May 28, NRK reports.

"By recognizing Palestine, we will be able to more forcefully call on other countries to support the creation of the Palestinian state, and we will be able to hold the Palestinian state accountable," the Norwegian Prime Minister said.

The Irish authorities made the same decision, the Irish Times reports. This was announced by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Spain will recognize Palestinian independence on May 28, El Pais reports.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz recalled the Ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations due to the decision of these countries to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, The Times of Israel reports.