Slovenia's recognition of Palestine matter of timing: parliament speaker

LJUBLJANA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian Parliament Speaker Milan Brglez on Monday told Palestinian ambassador Salah Abdel-Shafi that Slovenia's recognition of the Palestinian state was "not in doubt" but only a matter of the right timing.

Shafi said recent U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital had put in doubt the existing framework for the peace talks, according to Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The Palestinian ambassador said as the United States had "clearly taken Israel's side", it thereby disqualified itself from future mediation efforts. The ambassador called for the support of the international community.

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar said after an EU summit last week that the time was not yet suitable for Slovenia to recognize Palestine.

All three Slovenian coalition parties have unanimously decided to support the recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, but at the right moment, Cerar said.

The right moment would be, according to the prime minister, when a group of EU member states decides to recognize Palestine. Enditem