Trinidad and Tobago has formally recognized the State of Palestine.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry says the decision was taken at a meeting of Cabinet today.

It says Cabinet has determined that the formal recognition of Palestine by T&T will assist in the achievement of a lasting peace by strengthening the growing international consensus on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

It adds that T&T has been a longstanding advocate of the two-State solution as the only credible path to peace and security for Palestinians, the Israelis and, by extension, the wider region.

The Ministry says “Recognition of Palestine is moral and just and demonstrates Trinidad and Tobago’s acknowledgement of and support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian People.”

T&T will join 141 other countries that recognize Palestine, Algeria being the first to have done so in 1988.