Italian lawmakers set to vote for recognition of Palestinian stateFebruary 27, 2015 - 17:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italian lawmakers are set to vote on a bill calling upon the government to recognise a Palestinian state, International Business Times reports. MPs from the Left Ecology Freedom (Sel) and the Socialist Party have put forward a measure styled after a text voted by their French colleagues in December, in a move they say will encourage the Middle East peace process. The motion urges the government "to recognise the state of Palestine so that negotiations to reach a two state solution are restarted". The Democratic Party (PD) of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was said to be ready to back the text, making it likely to be approved. Party heads at the Lower Chamber were discussing the voting schedule with a first ballot expected as soon as tomorrow. The move comes months after France's National Assembly overwhelmingly voted a similar measure. Weeks earlier Sweden had become the first major European country to officially recognise Palestine as a state. Both the French and Swedish initiatives drew an angry reaction from the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing the step as "a grave mistake". Since the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) unilaterally declared the independence of Palestine in 1988, 135 of the 193 UN member states have recognised it as a state. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Director General of Ucom takes part in recruiting conference Ralph Yirikian participated in the Recruit Days business and networking conference organized by Move2Career. Ameriabank named Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance Ameriabank has been named the Best Bank in Armenia by Global Finance magazine in its 31st annual awards. Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. Lavrov rejects Armenia’s “defamation” of Russia, CSTO Lavrov decried the Armenian leaders’ “defamation” of Russian soldiers and border guards deployed in Armenia. |