France to Recognize Independent Palestinian State

France has declared that it will recognize a free and independent Palestinian state based on borders before the 1967 war, becoming the first European nation to do so, reported Press TV.

Bernard Valero, a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that Paris agrees with the formation of a Palestinian state based on the "exchange of land" between "Israel" and the Palestinians.

Valero also expressed hope that "peace talks" between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and "Israel" will resume.

During the past week, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have all sent letters to Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas, declaring that they recognize a free and independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

"Israel" has protested the recent recognitions, claiming that the move is against the spirit of the Mideast talks.

The recent developments come only weeks after Tel Aviv announced that it would not halt its plan for constructing over 1,300 new settler units in East Al Quds and a further 800 units in the northern occupied West Bank.