Belgium announced Saturday that it raised Palestine's diplomatic delegation to "mission" status in an effort to demonstrate the European country's commitment to a two-state solution, according to Agence France-Presse.
Previously, the Palestinian delegation was considered a "general delegation," a status grade below "mission." Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders confirmed the upgrade change after signing an agreement with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan.
In a statement, Reynders reiterated that “the raising (of status) reflects Belgian and European support for the two-state solution.” He further added that the head of the Palestinian delegation to Belgium could also start using the title of ambassador.
Belgium has been planning to upgrade the delegation's status since November 2012 and was one of the 138 countries at the UN General Assembly that voted to recognize Palestine as a "non-member observer state."
