STA, 2 February, 2018 - The government postponed the debate scheduled for Friday on Palestine to a future session pending a detailed analysis of the effects of recognition.
Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec said before the session he expected the government to form an official position today, so that the debate on the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee which started two days ago could continue.
The committee's discussion of a proposal for the recognition of Palestine filed by the opposition Left was suspended with the argument that motions to recognise new states must come from the government.
Erjavec said on Wednesday he expected the issue to be put to a vote in the National Assembly in March or April.
He asserted that Slovenia would recognise Palestine during this government's term, noting that the ruling coalition was in favour of the recognition. This was echoed by National Assembly Speaker Milan Brglez.
The debate on Palestine was revived in Slovenia after US President Donald Trump announced late in 2017 the US would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The government unanimously decided on 1 December to continue the process of Slovenia's recognition of Palestine, but has so far not presented its position on the recognition.
Cerar said on Tuesday he was still waiting for a comprehensive analysis of possible consequences the recognition could have for Slovenia and the Middle East from his ministries.