RAMALLAH, Palestine/ISTANBUL

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday praised Portugal’s decision to begin the process of recognizing a Palestinian state this September, calling it a key step toward advancing a two-state solution.

“This is a positive and courageous decision by Portugal, one that strengthens the path toward peace and reflects the growing consensus of the international community,” Abbas said in a statement carried by the official WAFA news agency.

He urged countries that have not yet recognized a Palestinian state “to take similar serious steps in support of peace.”

Portuguese media reported Thursday that Prime Minister Luis Montenegro plans to move forward with recognition during the UN General Assembly session in September, pending consultations with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and parliamentary parties.

The announcement comes amid a wave of recognition momentum. On Thursday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he would approve recognition if his government submits a proposal, noting that “the time has come for Finland to decide.”

France, Britain, Canada, and Malta have also indicated plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, while Australia has signaled it may follow.

Earlier this week, 15 Western nations, including France, issued a joint call for recognition and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

In recent months, Spain, Norway and Ireland officially recognized a Palestinian state, followed by Slovenia in June, bringing the total number of UN member states recognizing Palestine to 149 out of 193.