Slovenian parliament approved with majority a move to recognize an independent Palestinian state.
The Slovenian government decided Thursday to recognize Palestine as the fourth EU country after Spain, Norway and Ireland.
The Palestinian flag was raised alongside the flags of Slovenia and the EU in front of the government headquarters in the center of the capital, Ljubljana.
Prime Minister Robert Golob announced Thursday his government had agreed to recognize an independent Palestinian state and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages.
He hailed the recognition as a message of peace.
The State of Palestine is recognised by 146 countries around the world with Norway, Spain and Ireland recently joining the list.
In May 143 of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of Palestine joining the UN, something only states can do.
Most of the Middle East, Africa and Asia recognise Palestinian statehood. However, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and many Western European states do not.
The countries who have recognised Palestine this year in addition to Spain, Ireland and Norway are the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados.
