OVIEDO, Spain

The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta released a joint statement on Friday announcing that they will recognize a Palestinian state. 

The statement said the countries' leaders agreed that “the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian States living side-by-side, in peace and security.”

The statement said the four leaders discussed their “readiness” to recognize an independent Palestine.

It added that they will do so “when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right.”