The Spanish Foreign Minister has expressed hope that his country would formally recognise Palestine in “the coming months”.

Alfonso Dastis said he hoped Spain would recognise Palestine after a comprehensive agreement within the EU.

“Recognition of the Palestinian state should be coordinated within the EU and should aim to help a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine in the future,” the foreign minister said.

He also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The comments were made at a joint press conference with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki who is accompanying President Mahmoud Abbas on his trip to Madrid.

Maliki said that Palestine and Spain are “two friendly countries” working together for stability and development in the Middle East.

Abbas met with King Felipe VI in Madrid on Tuesday, after arriving in Spain on Sunday.