Ireland officially recognizes Palestinian s8k8..comtate

DUBLIN -- Ireland officially recognized Palestine as a statehood on Tuesday, in a move coordinated with Spain and Norway.

"The Government recognizes Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah," the Irish government said in a statement after it approved the recognition in a cabinet meeting.

"An Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of Ireland in Ramallah," said the statement.

"Ireland recognizes the State of Palestine in the spirit of peace in a coordinated announcement with our friends and colleagues in Spain and Norway," it added.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said: "This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive. It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security."

In a coordinated move, Norway, Spain and Ireland announced last Wednesday their decision to recognize Palestine as a state on May 28. More than 140 countries have already recognized a Palestinian state, representing over two-thirds of the United Nations' membership.