Portugal formally recognises Palestinian state, minister says

Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announces that the Portuguese government recognizes a Palestinian state, in New York

Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel announces that the Portuguese government recognizes a Palestinian state, during a statement ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Source: REUTERS

Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel announced on Sunday that the country has now recognised the state of Palestine.

"The recognition of the state of Palestine is the realization of a fundamental, constant, and fundamental line of Portuguese foreign policy," Rangel told reporters at the headquarters of Portugal's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York.

He said that "Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace...a ceasefire is urgent", adding Hamas "cannot have any form of control in Gaza or outside it" and demanding the release of all hostages.

Rangel also said that recognizing the state of Palestine "does not erase the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," and he also condemned the situation of starvation there, the destruction, and the "expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank."

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Portugal was recognising Palestine alongside Britain, Canada and Australia.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters