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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |